VocabDictionary

fake

/feษชk/beginner Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adjective

Not genuine; imitation or forged, intended to deceive.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œHe was arrested for wearing a watch with a fake Rolex logo.โ€
  • โ€œThe painting turned out to be a clever fake worth nothing.โ€
2.noun

A thing that is not genuine; a forgery or sham.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œExperts quickly realized the antique vase was a complete fake.โ€
  • โ€œShe is not who she claims to be; she's a total fake.โ€
3.verb

To pretend to have a feeling, illness, or ability, or to counterfeit something.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œHe decided to fake an illness so he wouldn't have to go to school.โ€
  • โ€œThe artist tried to fake a signature of the famous painter.โ€
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for โ€œfakeโ€.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Originating in the early 19th century as thieves' slang (cant), 'fake' likely derived from the 18th-century word 'feague' (meaning to put life into an old horse by illicit means, from German 'fegen', to sweep or polish). It initially meant to steal, manipulate, or tidy up, later shifting to mean making a counterfeit object, and eventually broadening to anything not genuine.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of a 'fake' snakeโ€”it looks real, but it's just made of plastic!

Common Collocations & Phrases
Rhyming Words

Frequently Asked Questions About โ€œfakeโ€

1. What is the meaning of โ€œfakeโ€ in English?

In English, fake (adjective) is defined as: โ€œNot genuine; imitation or forged, intended to deceive.โ€.

2. How do you use โ€œfakeโ€ in a sentence?

โ€œHe was arrested for wearing a watch with a fake Rolex logo.โ€

3. What are English synonyms of โ€œfakeโ€?

Common synonyms include:counterfeit,imitation,fraudulent,bogus

4. What is the etymology and word origin of โ€œfakeโ€?

Originating in the early 19th century as thieves' slang (cant), 'fake' likely derived from the 18th-century word 'feague' (meaning to put life into an old horse by illicit means, from German 'fegen', to sweep or polish). It initially meant to steal, manipulate, or tidy up, later shifting to mean making a counterfeit object, and eventually broadening to anything not genuine.