Humbug – Something intended to deceive or mislead

(Pronounced hum-bug)

To remember the definition of the word humbug, use the following mnemonic:

The humming bugs (humbug) looked harmless, but it was a plan to deceive people into giving them money.

Examples of humbug in a sentence

The magician managed to humbug people regularly because they didn't know his tricks.

The carer was described as a humbug after deceiving the elderly residents of the care home.

The circus was all humbug and hype, the acts were fake and the prices were high.