bunko

or bun·co

[ buhng-koh ]

noun

, plural bun·kos.

1. a swindle in which a person is cheated at gambling, persuaded to buy a nonexistent, unsalable, or worthless object, or otherwise victimized.
2. any misrepresentation.

verb (used with object)

, bun·koed, bun·ko·ing.

1. to victimize by a bunko.

bunko

/ ˈbʌŋkəʊ /

noun

1. a variant spelling of bunco

Word History and Origins

Origin of bunko¹

1880–85; shortened form of bunkum; -o

Example Sentences

They had got my parents doing things like taking bus trips to factory outlets and playing a dice game called “bunko” and hanging around the piano bar at the Ramada Inn.

From Literature

Kathy joined a neighborhood group to play bunko, a social dice game favored by Alpharetta women, many of whom think of it as an excuse to get together and have a few glasses of wine.

From Literature

Neighbors knew her from the monthly gathering of women who rotated between homes for games of the dice game bunko.

From Time

Then I don’t care to bunko anybody, and unless my arm comes back I won’t be worth the money the Feds have offered for my services.

From Project Gutenberg

Past experience—you need but one—had prepared me for this "bunko" fruit; but my friend would not believe me, one day in early October—he must taste for himself.

From Project Gutenberg