humbug

American  

[huhm-buhg] / ˈhʌmˌbʌg /

noun

1. something intended to delude or deceive.

   Synonyms:

   imposition

2. the quality of falseness or deception.

   Synonyms:

   sham, pretense

3. a person who is not what they claim or pretend to be; impostor.

   Synonyms:

   confidence man, quack, swindler, charlatan, deceiver, pretender

4. something devoid of sense or meaning; nonsense.

   a humbug of technical jargon.

5. British. a variety of hard mint candy.

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verb (used with object)

humbugged, humbugging

1. to impose upon by humbug or false pretense; delude; deceive.

   Synonyms:

   dupe, fool, trick, swindle, cheat

verb (used without object)

humbugged, humbugging

1. to practice deception or falseness.

interjection

1. (used as an expletive to express rejection of something as being completely untrue or nonsensical.)

humbug British  

/ ˈhʌmˌbʌɡ /

noun

1. a person or thing that tricks or deceives

2. nonsense; rubbish

3. a hard boiled sweet, usually flavoured with peppermint and often having a striped pattern

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verb

1. to cheat or deceive (someone)

Other Word Forms

• humbugger noun
• humbuggery noun

Etymology

Origin of humbug

First recorded in 1730–40; origin uncertain

Explanation

Humbug is language that's either deceptive or just ridiculous. Either way, it's verbal garbage and inspires people to mutter "Bah! Humbug!" — just like Scrooge did in A Christmas Carol. Humbug is one of many words in English for language that can't be trusted. Humbug is like snake oil: it's deceptive, tricky, and meant to put one over on you. There's a slightly different type of humbug that refers to nonsense: speech or writing that's silly, pretentious, or just empty. When someone is talking a lot but saying nothing, they're talking humbug.

Example Sentences

In a clever touch, Sphere lets us continue to see the monstrous green face, now neutered and ridiculous, mouth along as the panicked geek apologizes for being a humbug.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 3, 2025

"Raising money and going for valuation every few days is all humbug."

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2024

If holiday clutter has you more bah humbug than merry, these tips from professional organizers around Seattle might make your life easier before and after the holidays, and well into the new year.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 15, 2023

In her more measured than humbug review, Bahr said “Spirited” “comes up short as a musical,” but “is still pretty enjoyable.”

From Washington Times • Nov. 11, 2022

From their ranks at Corinthian Hall, Wednesday night’s audience selected a five-man committee to test Maggie and Leah and decide whether the rappings were a humbug.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock