Word
faker
Phoneticsfak·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfeɪkɝ/
UK/fˈeɪkɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who pretends to be sick or hurt to avoid doing something they do not want to do. This word is mostly used in the past to describe soldiers who faked injuries to stay out of battle.
n. a person who feigns illness or injury to avoid a duty or obligation. Historically associated with military contexts, particularly the practice of 'feigning wounds' to evade combat.
Examples
“The officer suspected the soldier was a faker.”
“During the long march, several men were caught as fakers who had pretended to be too weak to continue.”
“The regiment's surgeon was tasked with identifying the faker among the wounded, as the commander feared that deserters were returning to the camp under the guise of medical incapacity.”
Examples
simple
“The officer suspected the soldier was a faker.”
contextual
“During the long march, several men were caught as fakers who had pretended to be too weak to continue.”
complex
“The regiment's surgeon was tasked with identifying the faker among the wounded, as the commander feared that deserters were returning to the camp under the guise of medical incapacity.”
Real-World Examples
“Even in an early Marlovian play such as Henry VI Part Two, there is a wonderful scene where the seemingly sightless Simpcox is exposed as a faker.” Etymology
From fake + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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