hoax
nounUK /həʊks/
US /hoʊks/
A trick that makes people believe something false.
The story about the giant snake was just a hoax.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. To trick people into believing something false.
Someone hoaxed the whole town with a fake lottery win.
3. A false warning or alarm meant to cause confusion.
The bomb threat turned out to be a hoax.
4. A made-up story spread to fool the public.
The newspaper printed a hoax about a talking dog.