Basic Details
Word: Fraudulent
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Dishonest and meant to trick people, usually to get money or some other gain.
Synonyms: dishonest, fake, deceitful, crooked
Antonyms: honest, genuine, legitimate
How to Spell Fraudulent
Syllables: frau - du - lent
Tricky part: The word begins with the whole of fraud, au included, then u, then lent. Students drop the u of au (fradulent) or end it in lant.
Watch out for: fradulent, fraudulant, frawdulent
Memory tip: Spot the complete word fraud at the start, then add ulent: fraud + ulent.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The bank blocked the card after spotting a fraudulent payment.
Example 2: Never share an OTP with a caller; fraudulent calls often pretend to be from banks.
Example 3: The shop was fined for selling fraudulent copies of branded shoes.
Fun Fact
Fraudulent comes from Latin fraudulentus, built on fraus, meaning deceit or harm. The shorter word fraud reached English through Old French in the 1300s.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. benevolant 2. vigilent 3. fraudulent 4. sucullent
a) keeping careful watch for danger
b) dishonest and meant to deceive
c) kind and helpful
d) juicy and full of flavour
Show answer
b) dishonest and meant to deceive. Benevolent ends in ent, succulent has a double c and one l, and vigilant ends in ant, so fraudulent is the only one spelt right.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word fraudulent as used in the sentence:
The police found that the lottery prize letter was fraudulent and warned residents not to reply.
a) dishonest
b) bogus
c) genuine
d) fake
Show answer
c) genuine. A fraudulent letter is fake, so its opposite is a genuine one.
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
fr_ud_lent
a) a, u
b) e, u
c) o, u
d) a, a
Show answer
a) a, u. Write fraud with its au, then the u that joins it to lent.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A fraudulent claim is one that ____.
a) is made too late
b) is made very loudly
c) is made to trick someone
d) is made by a lawyer
Show answer
c) is made to trick someone
2. Which of these would be a fraudulent act?
a) returning a lost wallet
b) selling fake medicine as real
c) fixing a friend's bicycle
d) paying a bill on time
Show answer
b) selling fake medicine as real
