Phony: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ญ
phony
[ หfoสni ]
informal
Not genuine or real; fake or counterfeit.
Synonyms
bogus, counterfeit, fake, false.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
phony |
Duplicate entry, already described above. |
fake |
Used broadly to describe any object or person that is not genuine. Commonly used in everyday conversation.
|
counterfeit |
Used specifically for things that are made to look like something else, usually to deceive people, and typically refers to money, documents, or luxury goods.
|
false |
A general term that refers to something that is not true or correct, and can be used in a wide range of formal and informal contexts.
|
bogus |
Used when referring to something that is not real and has been made with the intention to deceive people. Often used informally.
|
Examples of usage
- He gave me a phony phone number.
- The company was caught selling phony merchandise.
- She put on a phony smile to hide her disappointment.
informal
A fraudulent person or thing.
Synonyms
charlatan, fake, fraud, impostor.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
phony |
Used when describing someone or something that is not genuine and is pretending to be something they are not. It often carries a negative connotation.
|
fraud |
Used to describe someone who deceives others, typically by pretending to be someone they are not or by manipulating the truth for personal gain. It is often used in legal and financial contexts.
|
impostor |
Describes a person who pretends to be someone else, usually to gain an advantage or deceive others. Often used in situations where specific roles or identities are being mimicked.
|
charlatan |
Refers to a person who pretends to have skills or knowledge that they do not actually possess, typically to deceive others. It is often used in professional or academic settings.
|
fake |
Describes something that is not real or authentic. It can refer to objects, documents, or even feelings and intentions. This term is versatile and can be used in various informal contexts.
|
Examples of usage
- The scam artist turned out to be a phony.
- Don't trust him, he's a phony.
Translations
Translations of the word "phony" in other languages:
๐ต๐น falso
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเฅเค เคพ
๐ฉ๐ช falsch
๐ฎ๐ฉ palsu
๐บ๐ฆ ัะฐะปััะธะฒะธะน
๐ต๐ฑ faลszywy
๐ฏ๐ต ๅฝ็ฉ
๐ซ๐ท faux
๐ช๐ธ falso
๐น๐ท sahte
๐ฐ๐ท ๊ฐ์ง์
๐ธ๐ฆ ู ุฒูู
๐จ๐ฟ faleลกnรฝ
๐ธ๐ฐ faloลกnรฝ
๐จ๐ณ ๅ็
๐ธ๐ฎ ponarejen
๐ฎ๐ธ falskur
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะถะฐะปาะฐะฝ
๐ฌ๐ช แงแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ saxta
๐ฒ๐ฝ falso
Etymology
The word 'phony' originated in the early 20th century as an American slang term, derived from the word 'fawney,' which referred to a gilded brass ring used as a counterfeit coin in the 18th century. Over time, 'phony' came to represent anything that is not genuine or authentic, often used to describe fraudulent individuals or counterfeit goods.
Word Frequency Rank
Positioned at #21,211, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.
- ...
- 21208 unmatched
- 21209 confiding
- 21210 inseparably
- 21211 phony
- 21212 curfew
- 21213 canton
- 21214 apprehending
- ...