Language historians aren't sure where bilk originated, but they have noticed that its earliest uses occur in contexts relating to the game of cribbage. Part of the scoring in cribbage involves each player …

BILK definition: to defraud; cheat. See examples of bilk used in a sentence.

To bilk someone out of something, especially money, means to cheat them out of it.

When you bilk thousands of people out of millions of dollars, eventually the truth will be known.

Definition of bilk verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

bilk - A term originally used in cribbage, meaning "spoil one's opponent's score." See also related terms for spoil. Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

Aug 26, 2025 · bilk (third-person singular simple present bilks, present participle bilking, simple past and past participle bilked) (transitive) To spoil the score of (someone) in cribbage.

bilk - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. All Free.

1. a. To defraud, cheat, or swindle: made millions bilking wealthy clients on art sales. b. To evade payment of: bilk one's debts. 2. To thwart or frustrate: "Fate ... may be to a certain extent bilked" …

To bilk someone is slightly different from plain robbing them, though the effect is the same; it implies a non-violent, subtle and devious method masquerading as legitimate. Bernie Madoff, the Ponzi …