- a variation of phony.
phoney
Americanadjective
-
phoneys
plural
adjective
-
not genuine; fake
-
(of a person) insincere or pretentious
noun
-
an insincere or pretentious person
-
something that is not genuine; a fake
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of phoney
C20: origin uncertain
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.
Broken computer monitors in bombed-out offices, scattered fake police uniforms and phoney hundred-dollar bills: these were the vestiges of a frantic escape of suspected cyberscammers fleeing a resort on the Cambodia-Thailand border.
From Barron's ● Mar. 12, 2026
There's been clashes between players and rancour between unions, but all of that will be phoney wars compared to what is about to happen in Dublin.
From BBC ● Mar. 7, 2026
Schofield said sarcastically: "What a delight to have had you here," to which Woodburn snapped back: "You big phoney."
From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2025
It was a Hampden shocker, sure, but the phoney war of friendlies isn't to be taken too seriously, right?
From BBC ● Mar. 27, 2024
That whole business with the psychiatrist that dragged on forever. 10TH JUROR: NOW don’t start with all that phoney psycho- whatever-you-call-it-stuff.
From "Twelve Angry Men" by Reginald Rose
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
