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Glite Dictionary
cheat code

cheat code

1 4.2
A series of buttons or commands that give an unfair advantage in a video game
  • noun
  • /tʃit koʊd/
  • Jargon
translation icon : código de trucos
  • In order to unlock the secret level, you need to enter the cheat code during the game.

Examples

  • Place the cheat code and lure us into the cave.

    Level Up (2011)

  • How difficult are these cheat codes?

    Blog text (6)

  • I think we have ourselves a cheat code.

    Level Up (2011)

  • Now, you mentioned before six life cheat codes to get ahead.

  • OK, so let me give you the cheat code before we wrap here.

  • I used cheat codes back in the day to help me dominate.

    Pixels (2015)

  • You can also enter cheat codes in most games to make you invincible. Why not just do that?

    Blog text (19)

  • The Pac-Man cheat code for super-speed.

    Pixels (2015)

  • He used cheat codes.

    Pixels (2015)

  • I want cheat codes, back-door entrances, shortcuts, anything.

    Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003)

Synonyms

hack
vscheat code
  • Texting
52 4.0

A clever quick way to solve a problem

focuses on gaining unfair advantage or unlocking game features, not general problem solving
cheat
vscheat code
  • Jargon
10 5.2

A secret code entered to make a video game easier

is specific to sequences of inputs in games, not programs or files

How Powerful

exploit
  • Specialized
13 8.5
cheat code
  • Jargon
1 4.2

Surface Forms

cheat code singular
cheat codes plural

Morphology

cheat + code

The meaning is directly compositional: 'cheat' (to gain an unfair advantage) combined with 'code' (programming/instructions) yields 'a code used to cheat.' This noun‑noun compound follows productive English formation and has close parallels in other languages and gaming contexts, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can reasonably infer the MWE meaning (perhaps aided by knowledge of video games).

Etymology

The term cheat code comes from early video games where players entered a secret series of button presses or words to get extra lives or open hidden features. The word cheat shows the idea of unfair help and code is the secret sequence, so cheat code now means a secret trick 'to gain an unfair advantage' or unlock special features.