phony

pho-ny · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Not genuine; fraudulent or fake.

  2. 2.

    (of a person) Pretending to be something one is not; insincere.

  3. 3.

    (as noun) A person who is not genuine; a fraud.

Related words

Antonyms: authentic, genuine, real
See also: fake, fraud, genuine
Synonyms: bogus, fake, fraudulent

Etymology

Origin uncertain. Possibly from British slang "fawney" (a gilded brass ring sold as gold), from Irish fáinne ("ring").