What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fraud
Example
The company was accused of fraud for manipulating their financial statements. [fraud: noun]
Example
He committed fraud by pretending to be a doctor and charging patients for medical advice. [fraud: verb]
hoax
Example
The video of the UFO sighting turned out to be a hoax created by a group of teenagers. [hoax: noun]
Example
She hoaxed her friends by pretending to be a famous celebrity on social media. [hoaxed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fraud is a more common word than hoax in everyday language, as it is a serious crime that is frequently reported in the news. Hoax is less common and is usually associated with harmless pranks or jokes.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fraud and hoax?
Fraud is a more formal word than hoax, as it is often used in legal or business contexts. Hoax is more informal and is often used in casual conversation or entertainment contexts.
