Origin of fake
1Words nearby fake
Other definitions for fake (2 of 2)
Origin of fake
2MORE ABOUT FAKE
What is a basic definition of fake?
Fake describes something as not being real or as being an imitation that is designed to trick someone into thinking it is real or original. Fake also refers to a forgery or copy and is used to mean to pretend. Fake has several other senses as a noun and a verb.
If something is fake, it resembles something else but isn’t exactly the same. For example, a diamond is made from pressurized carbon over thousands of years. A fake diamond might have been made from glass in five minutes.
Most of the time, fake things are designed to be nearly identical to the original in order to trick or cheat someone. But not always. A resort might make fake snow out of crushed ice so it can offer skiing or snowboarding when it hasn’t snowed. The key is whether something is acknowledged or labelled as fake. Lying to customers by claiming that fake items are real is considered fraud and is against the law.
- Real-life examples: Con artists often swindle people by selling fake jewelry, watches, antiques, and other cheap copies of expensive things. A person might wear fake nails or fake eyelashes. An indoor sports stadium may use fake grass.
- Used in a sentence: I make fake swords to be used in movies.
In this same sense, fake is used as a noun to mean a copy or fabrication.
- Used in a sentence: The car expert could easily tell if the sports car was a real Bugatti or a fake.
Also in this sense, fake is used as a verb to mean to make something that isn’t real or is a copy.
- Used in a sentence: He faked hundreds of Roman coins before the authorities caught on to his scam.
As a verb, fake can also mean to pretend or to simulate something.
- Used in a sentence: I faked illness so I could stay home from school.
Where does fake come from?
The first records of fake come from around 1805. It was originally a term from thieves’ slang meaning “to mug someone” or “to kill someone.”
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What are some other forms related to fake?
What are some synonyms for fake?
What are some words that share a root or word element with fake?
What are some words that often get used in discussing fake?
How is fake used in real life?
Fake is a very common word that describes something as not being genuine.
Fake tan is all fun and games until it goes gross and you have to try and scrub it off🙃
— Emily Canham (@EmilyCanham) April 22, 2018
Paris police sources say the 2 Syrian passports found on the terrorists were fakes probably made in Turkey
— Jon Snow (@jonsnowC4) November 15, 2015
Guys, I just found out a college student faked a sit down interview with me for a paper. I've never felt so proud.
— Tom Hart (@tom_hart) December 14, 2020
Try using fake!
Which of the following words is a synonym of fake?
A. real
B. genuine
C. imitation
D. legitimate