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fake

Meaning in simple English

US /feɪk/

fake means: Made or presented to look real, although it is not.

adjective

NOT REALB1

Made or presented to look real, although it is not.

  • Her necklace has fake diamonds.
  • Someone gave him a fake passport.
  • Is this fur real or fake?

Similar words: false, imitation, counterfeit

Opposites: real, genuine

Common phrases: fake passport, fake fur, fake diamond

INSINCEREB2

Showing feelings or friendliness that you do not really have.

  • His smile looked fake.
  • She disliked their fake friendliness.
  • Why are you being so fake with me?

Similar words: insincere, phony

Opposites: sincere, genuine

Common phrases: fake smile, fake friend, fake concern

noun

FALSE OBJECTB1

Something made or presented as real when it is not.

  • This passport is a fake.
  • An expert discovered that the painting was a fake.
  • Can you tell the original from the fakes?

Similar words: forgery, counterfeit, imitation

Opposites: original

Common phrases: a fake, an obvious fake, spot a fake, a convincing fake

DECEPTIVE MOVEC1

A movement that tricks another player about what you will do next.

  • His fake fooled the defender.
  • She used a shot fake before passing.
  • The goalkeeper fell for the striker’s fake.

Similar words: feint

Common phrases: shot fake, pump fake, a quick fake

ROPE TURNC2

One turn of a rope or cable arranged in a loose pile or coil.

  • Each fake lay flat on the deck.
  • A loose fake caught on the hook.
  • The sailor lifted one fake of the cable.

Similar words: turn, loop, coil

Common phrases: a loose fake, each fake, fake of rope

verb

PRETENDB2

To pretend to have a feeling or condition, or to do something you are not really doing.

  • She faked a smile.
  • He faked an injury to avoid playing.
  • Can you tell when someone is faking surprise?

Similar words: feign, simulate

Common phrases: fake a smile, fake an illness, fake interest

ALTER DISHONESTLYB2

To change or invent something dishonestly so it seems better, different, or true.

  • They faked the test results.
  • The company faked its sales figures.
  • Did someone fake the evidence?

Similar words: falsify, fabricate

Common phrases: fake the results, fake evidence, fake the figures

MAKE COUNTERFEITB2

To make a false copy of something, usually to deceive people.

  • He faked her signature.
  • The gang faked banknotes in a hidden workshop.
  • These identity documents were carefully faked.

Similar words: forge, counterfeit

Common phrases: fake a signature, fake a passport, fake a painting

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