adjective
Uncommon
sham
SHAM
Sham (adjective) means Fake or intended to deceive; not genuine. Example: “The couple staged a sham marriage to get a visa.”
adjective
1
Fake or intended to deceive; not genuine.
"The couple staged a sham marriage to get a visa."
noun
1
Something fraudulent that pretends to be real; a fake.
"The charity turned out to be a complete sham."
2
A decorative pillow cover.
"She matched the pillow shams to the new bedspread."
verb
1
To fake or pretend.
"He shammed illness to avoid the meeting."
How to use sham
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFake, or a fraud — something that isn't what it claims to be.
Common pairings
sham marriage
pillow sham
a total sham
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Word forms
- Plural
- shams
- Third person singular
- shams
- Past tense
- shammed
- Comparative
- more sham
- Superlative
- most sham
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
View more →Antonyms
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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