phony

== English == === Alternative forms === phoney (UK) === Etymology === Of unknown origin. Perhaps an alteration of fawny (“gilt brass ring used by swindlers”) (1781), from Irish fáinne (“ring”). === Pronunciation === (General American) IPA(key): /ˈfoʊni/ Rhymes: -əʊni === Adjective === phony (comparative phonier, superlative phoniest) (informal) Fraudulent; fake; having a misleading appearance. ==== Synonyms ==== (fraudulent): bogus, counterfeit, fake See also Thesaurus:fake ==== Antonyms ==== authentic genuine ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Noun === phony (plural phonies) (informal) A person who assumes an identity or quality other than their own. (informal) A person who professes beliefs or opinions that they do not hold. Synonyms: faker, dissembler, pretender, fake; see also Thesaurus:deceiver (informal) Anything fraudulent or fake. ==== Derived terms ==== phony up, phoney up Phony War, Phoney War ==== Translations ==== === Verb === phony (third-person singular simple present phonies, present participle phonying, simple past and past participle phonied) (informal) To fake. === Anagrams === hypno-