# fake

/ˈfeɪk/ (US) · /fˈeɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fake
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. not real

adjective · CEFR B1

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

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

- He was arrested for trying to use fake money at the grocery store.
- The gallery was forced to close after experts discovered that several of the most expensive paintings were actually fake.

### 2. insincere

adjective · CEFR B2

not sincere or honest about your feelings.

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

- I can't stand her fake laugh when she's trying to be polite.
- His fake enthusiasm for the project was obvious to everyone in the boardroom, despite his attempts to sound supportive.

### 3. a counterfeit object

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The designer bag she bought online turned out to be a cheap fake.
- The museum curator immediately identified the manuscript as a fake, noting that the ink was far too modern for the era.

### 4. deceptive move

noun · CEFR B2

a move in a game meant to trick an opponent.

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

- The player used a clever fake to get past the defender and score.
- With a subtle shoulder fake, the point guard sent the defender in the wrong direction before driving toward the basket.

### 5. to pretend or feign

verb · CEFR B2

to pretend to have a feeling or illness.

For teachers: to feign or simulate a physical or emotional state.

- She decided to fake an illness so she wouldn't have to go to the party.
- The witness attempted to fake a memory lapse during cross-examination to avoid answering the prosecutor's difficult questions.

### 6. to forge

verb · CEFR B2

to make a copy of something to trick people.

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

- He tried to fake his father's signature on the permission slip.
- The criminal syndicate managed to fake thousands of passports before the authorities finally uncovered their operation.

### 7. to improvise

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · Technical

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

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

- The pianist had to fake the middle section because he forgot the notes.
- Experienced jazz musicians can often fake their way through a standard they have never officially rehearsed by following the chord progression.

### 8. to coil a rope

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

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

- The sailor began to fake the line on the deck to prepare for docking.
- Properly faking the hawser is essential for safety, as it prevents the heavy rope from snagging when the anchor is dropped.

## Examples

- The diamond ring turned out to be a cheap fake.
- The museum removed the painting from the gallery after experts discovered it was a clever fake.
- While the signature appeared authentic to the untrained eye, forensic analysis of the ink revealed the document was a sophisticated fake produced within the last decade.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.