ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fake

adj. · n. · v.
US //ˈfeɪk// UK //fˈeɪk// fake
  1. 1 not real (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    not real or genuine; made to look like something else to trick people.

    not genuine; counterfeit or forged with the intent to deceive.

    Example

    He was arrested for trying to use fake money at the grocery store.

    Example

    The gallery was forced to close after experts discovered that several of the most expensive paintings were actually fake.
  2. 2 insincere (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    not sincere or honest about your feelings.

    behaving in a way that is not sincere; feigning emotions or personality traits.

    Example

    I can't stand her fake laugh when she's trying to be polite.

    Example

    His fake enthusiasm for the project was obvious to everyone in the boardroom, despite his attempts to sound supportive.
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  1. 3 a counterfeit object (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    an object that is not the real thing but looks like it.

    an object, such as a work of art or a document, that is not genuine but is presented as such.

    Example

    The designer bag she bought online turned out to be a cheap fake.

    Example

    The museum curator immediately identified the manuscript as a fake, noting that the ink was far too modern for the era.
  2. 4 deceptive move (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    a move in a game meant to trick an opponent.

    a deceptive movement or feint intended to mislead an opponent, particularly in sports.

    Example

    The player used a clever fake to get past the defender and score.

    Example

    With a subtle shoulder fake, the point guard sent the defender in the wrong direction before driving toward the basket.
  3. 5 to pretend or feign (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to pretend to have a feeling or illness.

    to feign or simulate a physical or emotional state.

    Example

    She decided to fake an illness so she wouldn't have to go to the party.

    Example

    The witness attempted to fake a memory lapse during cross-examination to avoid answering the prosecutor's difficult questions.
  4. 6 to forge (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to make a copy of something to trick people.

    to produce a fraudulent copy or counterfeit of a document, signature, or artwork.

    Example

    He tried to fake his father's signature on the permission slip.

    Example

    The criminal syndicate managed to fake thousands of passports before the authorities finally uncovered their operation.
  5. 7 to improvise (v.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Technical Music

    to play music by making it up as you go, especially in jazz.

    to improvise a solo or accompaniment, typically in a jazz context, without a written score.

    Example

    The pianist had to fake the middle section because he forgot the notes.

    Example

    Experienced jazz musicians can often fake their way through a standard they have never officially rehearsed by following the chord progression.
  6. 8 to coil a rope (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Nautical

    to wind a rope in a special way so it doesn't get tangled.

    to coil a rope or line by winding it in alternate directions to ensure it runs out smoothly without twisting.

    Example

    The sailor began to fake the line on the deck to prepare for docking.

    Example

    Properly faking the hawser is essential for safety, as it prevents the heavy rope from snagging when the anchor is dropped.
Etymology 1

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”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English faken (“to coil a rope”).

Word family

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