Phrase guide

Ponzi scheme

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A fraudulent scheme where earlier investors are paid with the money taken from new investors, giving the impression that the scheme is a viable investment.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: Ponzi scam

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Named after con artist Charles Ponzi (1882–1949), who famously conducted such form of fraud in North America in the 1920s.

Across languages

Translations

15 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 龐氏騙局 /庞氏骗局 (Páng-shì piànjú) — illicit money-making scheme
  • Finnish: Ponzi-huijaus — illicit money-making scheme
  • French: système de Ponzi — illicit money-making scheme
  • French: pyramide de Ponzi — illicit money-making scheme
  • Georgian: პონცის სქემა (ṗoncis skema) — illicit money-making scheme
  • German: but see Schneeballsystem — illicit money-making scheme
  • German: Ponzi-System — illicit money-making scheme
  • Hindi: धोखाधड़ी (dhokhādhaṛī) — illicit money-making scheme
  • Italian: schema Ponzi — illicit money-making scheme
  • Polish: schemat Ponziego — illicit money-making scheme
  • Portuguese: esquema Ponzi — illicit money-making scheme
  • Spanish: esquema Ponzi — illicit money-making scheme
  • Spanish: estafa Ponzi — illicit money-making scheme
  • Swedish: Ponzibedrägeri — illicit money-making scheme
  • Urdu: ڈَبَل شاہ (ḍabal śāh) — illicit money-making scheme