First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1fake
verb \ˈfāk\
fakedfak·ing
2fake
noun
Definition of FAKE
: one loop of a coil (as of ship's rope or a fire hose) coiled free for running
First Known Use of FAKE
1627
3fake
adjective
: not true or real : meant to look real or genuine but not real or genuine
Full Definition of FAKE
: counterfeit, sham
See fake defined for English-language learners
See fake defined for kids
Origin of FAKE
origin unknown
First Known Use: 1775
4fake
noun
Definition of FAKE
: one that is not what it purports to be: as a : a worthless imitation passed off as genuine b : impostor, charlatan c : a simulated movement in a sports contest (as a pretended kick, pass, or jump or a quick movement in one direction before going in another) designed to deceive an opponent d : a device or apparatus used by a magician to achieve the illusion of magic in a trick
First Known Use of FAKE
1827
Synonym Discussion of FAKE
imposture, fraud, sham, fake, humbug, counterfeit mean a thing made to seem other than it is. imposture applies to any situation in which a spurious object or performance is passed off as genuine <their claim of environmental concern is an imposture>. fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth <the diary was exposed as a fraud>. sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action <condemned the election as a sham>. fake implies an imitation of or substitution for the genuine but does not necessarily imply dishonesty <these jewels are fakes; the real ones are in the vault>. humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent <creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public>. counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable <20-dollar bills that were counterfeits>.
5fake
verb
fakedfak·ing
Definition of FAKE
transitive verb
1
: to alter, manipulate, or treat so as to give a spuriously genuine appearance to : doctor <faked the lab results>
2
: counterfeit, simulate, concoct <faked a heart attack>
3
: to deceive (an opponent) in a sports contest by means of a fake
intransitive verb
1
: to engage in faking something : pretend —sometimes used with it <if you don't have the answers, fake it>
2
: to give a fake to an opponent
— fak·er noun
— fak·ery \ˈfā-k(ə-)rē\ noun
First Known Use of FAKE
1851
FAKE[1] Defined for Kids
1fake
adjective \ˈfāk\
Definition of FAKE for Kids
: not true or real <The fake spider frightened me.>
2fake
noun
Definition of FAKE for Kids
: a person or thing that is not really what is pretended <The diamond is a fake.>
3fake
verb
fakedfak·ing
Definition of FAKE for Kids
1
: pretend 2 <faking surprise>
2
: to change or treat in a way that gives a false effect <She faked the test results.>
3
: to imitate in order to deceive <fake a signature>
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