SNAKE OIL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does snake oil mean? 

• SNAKE OIL (noun)
  The noun SNAKE OIL has 2 senses:

1. (medicine) any of various liquids sold as medicine (as by a travelling medicine show) but medically worthless

2. communication (written or spoken) intended to deceive

  Familiarity information: SNAKE OIL used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SNAKE OIL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(medicine) any of various liquids sold as medicine (as by a travelling medicine show) but medically worthless

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("snake oil" is a kind of...):

liquid (a substance that is liquid at room temperature and pressure)

Domain category:

medical specialty; medicine (the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Communication (written or spoken) intended to deceive

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

humbug; snake oil

Hypernyms ("snake oil" is a kind of...):

deceit; deception; misrepresentation (a misleading falsehood)