Dictionary
1phony
adjective pho·ny \ˈfō-nē\
: not true, real, or genuine : intended to make someone think something that is not true
of a person : not honest or sincere : saying things that are meant to deceive people
pho·ni·erpho·ni·est
Full Definition of PHONY
: not genuine or real: as a (1) : intended to deceive or mislead (2) : intended to defraud : counterfeit b : arousing suspicion : probably dishonest <something phony about the story> c : having no basis in fact : fictitious <phony publicity stories> d : false, sham <a phony name> e : making a false show: as (1) : hypocritical (2) : specious <has a phony poetic elegance — New Republic>
— pho·ni·ly \ˈfō-ni-lē\ adverb
— pho·ni·ness \ˈfō-nē-nəs\ noun
See phony defined for English-language learners
See phony defined for kids
Variants of PHONY
pho·ny also pho·ney \ˈfō-nē\
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Origin of PHONY
perhaps alteration of fawney gilded brass ring used in the fawney rig, a confidence game, from Irish fáinne ring, from Old Irish ánne — more at anus
First Known Use: 1893
Related to PHONY
2phony
noun
: a person who pretends to be someone else or to have feelings or abilities that he or she does not really have : a person who is not sincere
: something that is not real or genuine
plural pho·nies also phoneys
Full Definition of PHONY
: one that is phony
See phony defined for English-language learners
Variants of PHONY
phony also phoney
First Known Use of PHONY
1902
3phony
verb
pho·niedpho·ny·ing
Definition of PHONY
transitive verb
: counterfeit, fake —often used with up <a paper phonied up on the spur of the moment — William Faulkner>
First Known Use of PHONY
1940
Related to PHONY
- Synonyms
- counterfeit, forge, fake
PHONY Defined for Kids
1phony
adjective pho·ny \ˈfō-nē\
pho·ni·erpho·ni·est
Definition of PHONY for Kids
: not real or genuine <a phony dollar bill> <The principal's laugh sounded phony … — Andrew Clements, Frindle>
Variants of PHONY
pho·ny also pho·ney \ˈfō-nē\
2phony
noun
plural pho·nies also pho·neys
Definition of PHONY for Kids
1
: a person who is not sincere
2
: something that is not real or genuine
Variants of PHONY
phony also phoney
Learn More About PHONY
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