Shill - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A shill is a person who pretends to be impartial but secretly promotes or praises something for personal gain, often to deceive others into buying or supporting it.
Definition:
A person who pretends to endorse a product or idea for payment, often deceptively.
Synonyms:
decoy, plant, stooge, accomplice
Part of Speech:
noun, verb
Antonyms:
critic, opponent
Common Collocations:
paid shill, shill bidding, shill account, professional shill
Derivatives:
shilling, shilled
Usage Tips:
Use "shill" to describe someone secretly promoting something for personal gain; often implies deception.
Common Phrases:
"shill game, " "shill bidder, " "act as a shill"
Etymology:
Originated from early 20th-century slang, possibly from "shillaber," meaning a carnival worker who lures customers.
Examples:
- 1. The company hired a shill to hype their product online.
- 2. He was exposed as a shill for the gambling industry.
- 3. Don’t trust that reviewer—they might be a paid shill.
- 4. The auction was rigged with shill bidders inflating prices.