phoney
Americanadjective
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phoneys
plural
adjective
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not genuine; fake
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(of a person) insincere or pretentious
noun
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an insincere or pretentious person
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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
For years, phoney modelling agencies have been taking cash from young people desperate for a leg up into the industry, charging hundreds for fake portfolios and jobs that never materialise.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2025
Now, though, we enter the phoney war; four long weeks of build-up that will see both teams gain competitive reps on either side of the Atlantic.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2025
Antoni, who has a PhD in economics, has previously criticised the BLS, questioning its methodology and calling its statistics "phoney baloney".
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2025
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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