sham
Sham (adjective) means Fake or intended to deceive; not genuine. Example: “The couple staged a sham marriage to get a visa.”
How to use sham
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFake, or a fraud — something that isn't what it claims to be.
Word forms
more sham comparative, shammed past tense, shams plural, Shams plural, shams singular, most sham superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The couple staged a _____ marriage to get a visa.
Etymology
Probably a dialect form of "shame".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for sham
See all rhymes for sham →Frequently asked questions
What does “sham” mean?
The word “sham” means fake or intended to deceive; not genuine. In plain terms, fake, or a fraud — something that isn't what it claims to be.
How do you pronounce “sham”?
“Sham” is pronounced SHAM (/ˈʃeə̯m/ in IPA).
How do you use “sham” in a sentence?
Here is “sham” used in a sentence: “The couple staged a sham marriage to get a visa.”
What is another word for “sham”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sham” include mock.
What is the opposite of “sham”?
The opposite of “sham” — its antonyms — are genuine, sincere and real.
What part of speech is “sham”?
Depending on how it is used, “sham” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Is “sham” a common word?
“Sham” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sham” have?
“Sham” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: fake or intended to deceive; not genuine.
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