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fake — not genuine; made to look like something real or valuable in order to deceive people

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: not genuine; made to look like something real or valuable in order to deceive people

Pronunciation (IPA): /feɪk/

Example Sentences

  • My grandmother's 'antique' vase was actually a fake from a souvenir shop.
  • She had to fake being sick to avoid the boring meeting.
  • The fake mustache made him look like a 1920s detective.

fake

ADJECTIVE

[/feɪk/]

not genuine; made to look like something real or valuable in order to deceive people

The designer created a fake passport that looked almost identical to the real one.
💡 Concept

The designer created a fake passport that looked almost identical to the real one.

The antique dealer carefully examines the painting because a fake can look remarkably similar to an original. (FAKE → an imitation that is made to look real)
🧠 Mnemonic

The antique dealer carefully examines the painting because a fake can look remarkably similar to an original. (FAKE → an imitation that is made to look real)

The baker decorated the cake to look like a priceless sculpture, but the fake masterpiece turned out to be a hilarious mistake.
🎵 Rhyme

The baker decorated the cake to look like a priceless sculpture, but the fake masterpiece turned out to be a hilarious mistake.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/feɪk/
🇬🇧 UK/feɪk/

🌳Etymology

Rootfake

Origin

From Old French 'faque' or Italian 'faccia' (face), which entered English through criminal slang in the 16th century. The word evolved to mean something made or altered deceptively to appear genuine.

Breakdown

The word 'fake' is a standalone term without productive morphemes in English. It likely derives from Germanic or Romance language roots meaning 'to make' or 'to shape,' ultimately used as both noun and verb meaning 'something counterfeit' or 'to create deceptively.'

🎵Rhyme

cake
make
take
wake
break

🔗Collocations

fake news
fake smile
fake ID
fake it
fake goods
fake accent

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My grandmother's 'antique' vase was actually a fake from a souvenir shop.”

“She had to fake being sick to avoid the boring meeting.”

😄 Fun example

“The fake mustache made him look like a 1920s detective.”

“Don't buy fake products online - they break easily.”

📚Related Words

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