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verb C2 Proficient

fabricate

FAB-rih-kayt

Fabricate (verb) means to manufacture or build something, especially by assembling parts. Example: “The company fabricates steel components for the aerospace industry.”

verb
1
To manufacture or build something, especially by assembling parts.
"The company fabricates steel components for the aerospace industry."
2
To invent a false story, document, or excuse and present it as genuine.
"He fabricated evidence to cover up the mistake."
"The journalist was fired for fabricating quotes."

How to use fabricate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo build something physically, or to make up something false and pass it off as real.

Common mistake

In everyday use "fabricate" almost always implies dishonesty (fabricate a story/excuse); the neutral "manufacture" sense is more common in technical or industrial writing.

Common pairings
fabricate evidence fabricate a story fabricate parts

Word forms

fabricated past tense, fabricates singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The company _____ steel components for the aerospace industry.

Etymology

From Latin fabricare, "to build or construct," from fabrica, "workshop" — the sense of "make up a lie" developed later in English.

Origin: Latin

manufacture construct invent cook up make up

Related words

Rhymes for fabricate

See all rhymes for fabricate →

Frequently asked questions

What does “fabricate” mean?

The word “fabricate” means to manufacture or build something, especially by assembling parts. In plain terms, to build something physically, or to make up something false and pass it off as real.

How do you pronounce “fabricate”?

“Fabricate” is pronounced FAB-rih-kayt (/ˈfæb.ɹɪ.keɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “fabricate” in a sentence?

Here is “fabricate” used in a sentence: “The company fabricates steel components for the aerospace industry.”

What part of speech is “fabricate”?

“Fabricate” is a verb.

Where does the word “fabricate” come from?

The word “fabricate” comes from Latin. From Latin fabricare, "to build or construct," from fabrica, "workshop" — the sense of "make up a lie" developed later in English.

How many meanings does “fabricate” have?

“Fabricate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to manufacture or build something, especially by assembling parts.

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