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fake

fake

65 3.7
A person who pretends to be someone they are not
  • noun
  • /feɪk/
  • Offensive
translation icon : farsante
  • You, sir, like me, are a liar, a cheat, a charlatan, and a fake.

That same night, the fake goes on CNN with Caitlin Collins.

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Examples

  • And there's a whole lot of fake people in this world.

  • So he paid fake women to say nice things.

  • Some of the most dangerous people on earth are fake rich people.

  • Does this not make him just as much of a fake as the rest of them?

    Blog text (17)
  • And as a wise woman once said, fake friends, negative friends.

  • You are a fake.

  • They say you're a fake.

  • I'm a fake.

  • You're a fake.

  • He was known as a fake in the industry, pretending to have skills he didn't possess.

Synonyms

fraud
vsfake
  • Offensive
160 4.4

A person who pretends to be something they are not to trick others

is the general category for anyone who pretends, not always criminal
sham
vsfake
  • Offensive
81 6.1

Something or someone that pretends to be real but is false

is the specific human-focused term for someone who pretends
phony
vsfake
  • Offensive
73 6.2

A person who pretends to have feelings or beliefs to deceive others

expresses the general act of pretending beyond feelings or traits
impostor
vsfake
  • UK
50 5.1

A person who pretends to be someone else to trick people

is the wider term for anyone who pretends, not only for gain
imposter
vsfake
  • US
41 5.1

A person who pretends to be someone else to trick people and get money or other benefits

is a general word for pretending, not limited to identity theft
pseudo
vsfake
  • Offensive
39 8.6

A person who pretends to be someone they are not

covers that same false acting but as the general concept
impersonator
vsfake
33 6.2

A person who pretends to be someone else to trick or entertain people

is the broad category for any pretender, not only imitators
poser
vsfake
  • Offensive
26 8.0

A person who pretends to be someone they are not to fit in

covers any form of pretending, not only for social approval
faker
vsfake
  • Offensive
15 5.2

A person who pretends to be someone else or lies to trick people

is the broad label for someone who pretends to deceive others
deceiver
vsfake
13 5.5

A person who tricks others by making them believe something not true

is centered on the act of pretending identity rather than general lying
poseur
vsfake
  • Offensive
8 9.9

A person who pretends to be cool to fit in with others

is the general act of pretending beyond social image or fitting in
pretender
vsfake
7 7.4

A person who lies about their job or skills to trick people

is the broader word for any person who pretends, not only claims
wolf in sheep's clothing
vsfake
  • Informal
7 6.2

A person who seems friendly but is actually dangerous or dishonest

is the broad label for any person who pretends to be different
hoaxer
vsfake
4 6.7

A person who tricks people into believing something false for fun or attention

is the general term for a person who pretends identity or traits
dissembler
vsfake
1 9.5

A person who hides real thoughts or plans by saying something else

focuses on outward pretending of identity rather than hiding motives
shammer
vsfake
9.6

A person who pretends to be someone else to trick people

is the general term for pretending, not limited to claims
spoofer
vsfake
  • Texting
9.0

A person or device that pretends to be something else to deceive people

is focused on people who pretend socially rather than devices or systems
simulant
vsfake
  • Offensive
8.4

A person who pretends to be ill to avoid work

is the general word for pretending, not limited to illness
pseud
vsfake
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who pretends to know a lot to impress others

is the wider term for pretending beyond claims of knowledge
four-flusher
vsfake
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who pretends to have skills or money to impress others

is a more general word for any person who pretends or lies
faux queen
vsfake
  • Neologism
9.9

A woman who pretends to be a queen but has no real royal title

is the general word for anyone who falsely claims a role or status

Compounds

5 3.9

False or misleading news stories that try to trick people

fake news
  • Offensive
3 4.5

A negative label people use to attack a report or news source for political reasons

8.2

An object that looks like a book but is not, used to decorate shelves or hide small things

9.9

An insulting name for a woman accused of pretending to like or know about geek culture

fake-ass smile
  • Offensive
9.9

A smile that is not real and hides anger or sadness

How Deceptive

fraud
577 4.0
charlatan
  • Offensive
38 8.6
impostor
  • UK
50 5.1
fake
  • Offensive
65 3.7
phony
  • Offensive
73 6.2
poser
  • Offensive
26 8.0

Surface Forms

fake singular
fakes plural

Etymology

Fake comes from old slang meaning 'to pretend' or 'make false'. So a fake person is someone who pretends to be what they are not.