Meaning & Definition of word "Phony"
Phony
/ˈfoʊni/
noun:
- 1. A person who is not genuine; a fraud or impostor.
- Example: He acted like a real phony, pretending to be someone he was not.
- 2. Something that is not real or authentic; a counterfeit.
- Example: The art dealer was caught selling phony paintings as the work of a famous artist.
adjective:
- 1. Not genuine; fraudulent or fake.
- Example: He was exposed as a phony after it was revealed that his credentials were fabricated.
- 2. Intended to deceive, especially by pretending to be someone else.
- Example: Her phony smile did little to disguise her true feelings of dissatisfaction.
- 3. Having a false or misleading appearance.
- Example: The phony advertisement promised results that were too good to be true.
Etymology
●The word 'phony' originated in the late 19th century, possibly from the word 'fone' or from the term 'phone,' meaning a trick or deception.
Common Phrases and Expressions
phony baloney:
Something that is fake or insincere.
put on a phony front:
To present a false image or attitude.
Related Words
counterfeit:
An imitation intended to be passed off as genuine.
imposter:
A person who pretends to be someone else to deceive others.
Slang Meanings of phony
Meaning: A person who is not being genuine.
● Example Sentence: Everyone knows he's just a phony.
Meaning: Something that is not true or real.
● Example Sentence: That excuse was so phony, nobody believed it.