Phrase guide

sham Abraham

verb · 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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  • US: /ʃæm ˈeɪ.bɹəˌhæm/
  • US: /ʃæm ˈeɪ.bɹə.həm/

1

verb

Meaning 1

To pretend sickness or insanity.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, idiomatic, obsolete

Qualifier: thieves' cant

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

First use appears c. 1752. From sham + Abraham man (“a beggar who pretends to be ill”)