Legerdemain is a noun for a clever sleight-of-handQuick hand movements used to fool people during a performance. trick or a deceptiveIntended to mislead by making something seem different from reality. display that looks magical to an observer. It is often used for skillful trickerySkillful cheating or deceit used to fool others., especially when something seems impressive or mysterious but is actually done by deception or fast hand movements.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌlɛdʒərdəˈmeɪn/
Easy pronunciation: lej-er-duh-MAIN (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress is on the last syllable, MAIN.
Noun meaning a clever trick that looks magical; not the broader sense of deception in general.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Legerdemain Meaning
a clever trick that looks magical
Part of speech: noun
Definition: an illusory feat that seems magical to naive observers
Example: The magician’s legerdemain made the coin seem to vanish into thin air.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- conjuring trick — A direct match for a trick that appears magical.
- magic trick — A natural everyday substitute for a deceptive performance that looks like magic.
- trick — Works in a broad sense, though it is less specific than legerdemain.
- illusion — Fits when the emphasis is on the deceptive appearance rather than the skill behind it.
- deception — Appropriate when the focus is on misleading observers, though it is broader and less specific.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Legerdemain Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- conjuring trick
- magic trick
- trick
broader sense: deceptive or misleading display
- illusion
- deception
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using legerdemain to mean real magic rather than a deceptive trick or sleight of hand.
- Treating it as a casual synonym for any kind of magic; it usually suggests clever deception or manual skill.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does legerdemain mean?
Legerdemain means a clever trick or sleight of hand that seems magical or deceptive.
Is legerdemain the same as magic?
Not exactly. It often describes something that looks like magic, but the emphasis is on trickery, skill, or deception rather than actual magic.
What part of speech is legerdemain?
Legerdemain is a noun.
What are some synonyms for legerdemain?
Good synonyms include conjuring trick, magic trick, trick, illusion, and deception, depending on the context.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
