phoney

[ foh-nee ]

adjective

plural: phoneysphoneyed phoneyingphonier phoniest

1. phony.

phoney

/ ˈfəʊnɪ /

adjective

1. not genuine; fake
2. (of a person) insincere or pretentious

noun

1. an insincere or pretentious person
2. something that is not genuine; a fake

Derived Forms

• ˈphoneyness, noun

Other Words From

• phoney·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of phoney¹

C20: origin uncertain

Example Sentences

But Labour branded the levelling-up pledge a "phoney gimmick" that had failed to deliver economic growth.

From BBC

Buying London "consists of phoney conversations, confected drama and lip filler", she said, describing the series as "superficially fun, but ultimately soulless and artificial".

From BBC

It was a Hampden shocker, sure, but the phoney war of friendlies isn't to be taken too seriously, right?

From BBC

Police in Strasbourg said the men would go to their victims' homes, carry out phoney control services and then overcharge for treatment products.

From BBC

The document reveals how US law enforcement infiltrated the alleged plot, setting him up with a phoney hitman, who was actually an undercover agent.

From BBC