Fake Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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fake

[feɪk ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

news

Not genuine; counterfeit or fraudulent.

Synonyms

counterfeit, false, fraudulent, phony.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
fake	Commonly used to describe something that is not genuine or real. Can be used for objects, emotions, or actions. Slightly informal. She bought a fake designer purse His smile seemed fake
counterfeit	Typically refers to forged or copied items, especially currency, documents, or luxury goods, with the intent to deceive. The police caught him with counterfeit money She was arrested for selling counterfeit jewelry
phony	Informal term for something or someone that is not genuine. Often used to describe people who are pretending to be something they are not. That guy is a real phony She got fooled by a phony diamond ring
false	Used to describe something that is not true or correct. Can refer to information, statements, or beliefs. He gave false information to the investigators The rumor turned out to be false
fraudulent	Describes actions or behaviors intended to deceive or cheat someone, often for financial gain. Typically used in legal or formal contexts. They were charged with fraudulent activities The company filed a lawsuit for fraudulent claims

Examples of usage

The company was accused of selling fake products online.
She was wearing a fake designer watch.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

social media

A person who is not what they claim to be; an impostor.

Synonyms

fraud, impostor, poser, pretender.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
fake	Used to describe something that is not genuine or is intended to deceive. He bought a fake Rolex watch; The news about the celebrity was fake
impostor	Refers to a person who pretends to be someone else, often to deceive others. The detective uncovered the impostor posing as a prince; He felt like an impostor at his new job
fraud	Often used in legal or financial situations to describe someone who intentionally deceives others for personal gain. The company was shut down for committing fraud; She was arrested for credit card fraud
poser	Usually used in a casual or slang context to describe someone who pretends to be something they are not, often in terms of style or interests. Typically carries a negative connotation. He's such a poser, always pretending to be into things he doesn't care about; The surfers dismissed him as a poser
pretender	Describes someone who claims to have a certain status or identity, often without the qualifications or rights to do so. Sometimes has historical connotations. He was a pretender to the throne; The pretender was eventually exposed

Examples of usage

Be careful, there are a lot of fakes on social media pretending to be someone else.
The profile turned out to be a fake created by a scammer.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'fake'

The word 'fake' originated in the late 18th century, derived from the earlier slang fakement meaning 'a thing contrived to deceive'. It gained popularity in the 19th century with the rise of counterfeit goods and has since become a common term in everyday language.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,127, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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11124 absurdity
11125 bald
11126 placebo
11127 fake
11128 landmark
11129 plaque
11130 updates
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