What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hocus
Example
The magician used hocus-pocus to make the rabbit disappear. [hocus-pocus: noun]
Example
He tried to hocus the audience with his card tricks. [hocus: verb]
bamboozle
Example
Don't let him bamboozle you with his smooth talk. [bamboozle: verb]
Example
She was bamboozled into buying a fake watch. [bamboozled: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bamboozle is more commonly used than hocus in everyday language. Bamboozle is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while hocus is less common and refers to a more specific type of deception.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hocus and bamboozle?
Neither hocus nor bamboozle are particularly formal or informal. Both words can be used in various formality levels, depending on the context and tone of the sentence.
