adj
phony
FOH-nee
adj
1
Fake or fraudulent; not genuine.
"He was arrested for using a phony passport."
"Her sympathy sounded completely phony."
noun
1
A person who pretends to be something they are not.
"Everyone at the office could tell he was a phony."
How to Use Phony
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFake, insincere, or not the real thing — can describe an object, a person, or a feeling.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a phony excuse
sound phony
phony smile
Word Forms
phonier comparative, phonied past tense, phonies plural, phonies singular, phoniest superlative
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He was arrested for using a _____ passport.
Etymology
Origin uncertain; possibly an alteration of "fawny," old slang for a gilt ring used by street swindlers.