deepfake
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of deepfake
First recorded in 2015–20; deep (learning) ( def. ) + fake 1 ( def. )
Explanation
A deepfake is an altered photo or video that's completely different from the original but still looks totally realistic. A film that appears to show your school principal winning the U.S. Open — it's probably a deepfake. Deepfakes are manipulated recordings that are made using artificial intelligence. Unlike older techniques for creating false images, deepfakes seem so authentic that you're not sure what's true and what isn't. They can be used for entertainment, to bring back long-dead Hollywood stars or swap characters from different movies. But deepfakes are often intended to deliberately mislead people by spreading fake (but real-looking) information. Deepfake was coined in 2017.
Vocabulary lists containing deepfake
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Many advanced deepfake detectors depend on enormous amounts of digital computation.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 1, 2026
Lawmakers acknowledged that the legislation is just a start, and that it is increasingly difficult for public officials to detect bespoke letters, deepfake videos or other kinds of engagement powered by AI.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026
One shows the face of an Australian academic leading an international research study; the other is an AI-generated deepfake.
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
Global consultancy firm Deloitte has predicted that losses from AI deepfake scams, external in the US alone could rise to £40bn next year, up from £12bn in 2023.
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
But the suitor was an AI deepfake, making her yet another victim of an online romance scam.
From Barron's ● Jul. 3, 2026
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.