Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Not genuine or real; being an imitation: Used to describe something that is made to look like something valuable or authentic in order to deceive.
   • Fraudulent; having a misleading appearance: Describing a person, thing, or action intended to trick others by appearing to be something it is not.

2. Noun:

   • A person who makes deceitful pretenses: An individual who pretends to be someone they are not or to have qualities they do not possess.
   • Something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be: An object or item that is a forgery or imitation, designed to deceive.
   • (In sports, especially football) A deceptive move: An action intended to trick an opponent about one's intended direction or action.

3. Verb:

   • To make a copy of with the intent to deceive: To create an imitation of something (like a signature, document, or object) to pass it off as genuine.
   • To speak or act insincerely; to pretend: To behave in a way that does not reflect one's true feelings, knowledge, or intentions.
   • To tamper with something for the purpose of deception: To alter records, data, or evidence to create a false impression.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • She was wearing a fake diamond necklace. (The necklace was an imitation, not made of real diamonds.)
  • He gave a fake name to the police. (The name was not his real one.)

• Noun:

  • The painting was discovered to be a fake. (The painting was a forgery, not an original work.)
  • He's just a fake who pretends to be an expert. (The person is deceitful about his knowledge.)

• Verb:

  • He faked his supervisor's signature on the form. (He forged the signature.)
  • She didn't know the answer, so she faked it during the presentation. (She pretended to know.)

Advanced Usage

• "To fake it": To pretend to be competent, knowledgeable, or confident when one is not.

  • I didn't study for the oral exam, so I just had to fake it.

• "To fake someone out": (Informal) To deceive or trick someone, especially in sports or a competitive situation.

  • The quarterback faked out the defense with a clever move.

Variants and Related Words

• Faker (n): A person who fakes; a fraud.

  • The so-called psychic was exposed as a faker.

• Fakery (n): The practice of faking; deception.

  • The document was full of obvious fakery.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Counterfeit, forged, false, imitation, bogus, phony, sham.
• Noun: Forgery, counterfeit, copy, fraud, impostor, phony.
• Verb: Forge, counterfeit, falsify, pretend, feign, simulate.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Fake out: To deceive or trick.

  • He tried to fake me out by looking left but running right.

• Fake up: (Informal) To fabricate or invent something, often a story or excuse.

  • He faked up an alibi for the night of the party.

Related Idioms

• "A fake friend": Someone who pretends to be a friend but is not loyal or sincere.

  • I realized he was just a fake friend when he spread rumors about me.

• "Cry fake tears": To pretend to cry; to show insincere emotion.

  • The actor had to cry fake tears for the emotional scene.

Adjective

1. not genuine or real; being an imitation of the genuine article; it's real synthetic fur"
   • it isn't fake anything
   • faux pearls
   • false teeth
   • decorated with imitation palm leaves
   • a purse of simulated alligator hide
2. fraudulent; having a misleading appearance

Noun

1. (football) a deceptive move made by a football player
2. a person who makes deceitful pretenses
3. something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be

Verb

1. speak insincerely or without regard for facts or truths
   • The politician was not well prepared for the debate and faked it
2. tamper, with the purpose of deception
   • Fudge the figures
   • cook the books
   • falsify the data
3. make a copy of with the intent to deceive
   • he faked the signature
   • they counterfeited dollar bills
   • She forged a Green Card