# sham

/ˈʃæm/ (US) · /ʃˈæm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sham
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 2. a decorative pillow cover

noun · CEFR C2 · American English

a decorative cover for a pillow that you put on a bed for looks, not for sleeping.

For teachers: an ornamental covering for a pillow, typically matching a duvet or bedspread and removed before sleeping.

- She bought a matching set of sheets and pillow shams to make the guest room look nice.
- The interior designer suggested quilted shams to add texture to the bedding arrangement without sacrificing the room's minimalist aesthetic.

### 4. to pretend

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

to pretend to have a feeling or illness to deceive someone.

For teachers: to feign or simulate a physical or mental state; to act with intent to deceive.

- He decided to sham illness so he could stay home from school and play video games.
- The prisoner attempted to sham madness during the trial, but the court-appointed psychiatrists were not convinced by his performance.

Usage: The verb is often used intransitively or with a direct object representing the state being faked.

## Examples

- The public soon realized that the election was a complete sham.
- The couple stayed together for the sake of their public image, but their marriage was a total sham.
- The investigation revealed that the charity was a sophisticated sham designed to funnel donations into the private accounts of its founders while providing no actual services to the community.

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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.