fake
- 01 B1 Intermediate
adj.not real or genuine; made to look like something else to trick people.
adj.not genuine; counterfeit or forged with the intent to deceive.
Simple“He was arrested for trying to use fake money at the grocery store.”
In context“The gallery was forced to close after experts discovered that several of the most expensive paintings were actually fake.”
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.not sincere or honest about your feelings.
adj.behaving in a way that is not sincere; feigning emotions or personality traits.
Simple“I can't stand her fake laugh when she's trying to be polite.”
In context“His fake enthusiasm for the project was obvious to everyone in the boardroom, despite his attempts to sound supportive.”
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.an object that is not the real thing but looks like it.
n.an object, such as a work of art or a document, that is not genuine but is presented as such.
Simple“The designer bag she bought online turned out to be a cheap fake.”
In context“The museum curator immediately identified the manuscript as a fake, noting that the ink was far too modern for the era.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a move in a game meant to trick an opponent.
n.a deceptive movement or feint intended to mislead an opponent, particularly in sports.
Simple“The player used a clever fake to get past the defender and score.”
In context“With a subtle shoulder fake, the point guard sent the defender in the wrong direction before driving toward the basket.”
Synonymsfeintdodge - 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to pretend to have a feeling or illness.
v.to feign or simulate a physical or emotional state.
Simple“She decided to fake an illness so she wouldn't have to go to the party.”
In context“The witness attempted to fake a memory lapse during cross-examination to avoid answering the prosecutor's difficult questions.”
- 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to make a copy of something to trick people.
v.to produce a fraudulent copy or counterfeit of a document, signature, or artwork.
Simple“He tried to fake his father's signature on the permission slip.”
In context“The criminal syndicate managed to fake thousands of passports before the authorities finally uncovered their operation.”
Synonyms - 07 C1 Advanced
v.to play music by making it up as you go, especially in jazz.
v.to improvise a solo or accompaniment, typically in a jazz context, without a written score.
Simple“The pianist had to fake the middle section because he forgot the notes.”
In context“Experienced jazz musicians can often fake their way through a standard they have never officially rehearsed by following the chord progression.”
Synonymsimprovisead lib - 08 C2 Proficiency
v.to wind a rope in a special way so it doesn't get tangled.
v.to coil a rope or line by winding it in alternate directions to ensure it runs out smoothly without twisting.
Simple“The sailor began to fake the line on the deck to prepare for docking.”
In context“Properly faking the hawser is essential for safety, as it prevents the heavy rope from snagging when the anchor is dropped.”
Usage fake squishy · fake news
“You can either say it’s fake or you can decide its real.”
“A woman who paid £400 for a Prada handbag on Vinted later discovered it was a fake.”
The origin is not known with certainty, although first attested in 1775 C.E. in British criminals' slang. It is probably from feak, feague (“to give a better appearance through artificial means, spruce up, embellish”), itself from German Low German fegen, from Middle Low German vēgen, from Old Saxon fegōn, from Proto-West Germanic *fegōn (“to clean up, polish”). Akin to Dutch veeg (“a swipe”), Dutch vegen (“to sweep, wipe”); German fegen (“to sweep, to polish”). Compare also Old English fācn (“deceit, fraud”). Perhaps related also to Old Norse fjúka (“to fade, vanquish, disappear”), Old Norse feikn (“strange, scary, unnatural”).
From Middle English faken (“to coil a rope”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.