phoney

[ foh-nee ]

adjective

phoneyed phoneyingphonier phoniestplural: phoneys

1. phony.

phoney

/ ˈfəʊnɪ /

adjective

1. not genuine; fake
2. (of a person) insincere or pretentious

noun

1. an insincere or pretentious person
2. something that is not genuine; a fake

Derived Forms

• ˈphoneyness, noun

Other Words From

• phoney·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of phoney¹

C20: origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Its claim that NATO had no choice but to accept new members from Central and Eastern Europe was phoney, Putin argued.

From Time

To talk about horology on the moon wouldn't add to Dabney's stature as a phoney scientist.

From Project Gutenberg

It had had, in fact, to be an honest job of ship-building in order to put across a phoney promotion.

From Project Gutenberg

Don't you know that you an' me stand to swing if any of de bunch gets gabby in front of dis phoney punk?

From Project Gutenberg

Well, I'll gamble a stack of blue chips there ain't such a phoney pair in Manhattan Village.

From Project Gutenberg

It would be an adventure, at least, and Murphy's repeated assertions that it was "a phoney" invited investigation.

From Project Gutenberg