prepare or make (something specious, deceptive, or fraudulent): to fake a report showing nonexistent profits.
to conceal the defects of or make appear more attractive, interesting, valuable, etc., usually in order to deceive: The story was faked a bit to make it more sensational.
to pretend; simulate: to fake illness.
to accomplish by trial and error or by improvising: I don't know the job, but I can fake it.
to trick or deceive (an opponent) by making a fake (often followed by out): The running back faked out the defender with a deft move and scored.
Jazz.
to improvise: to fake an accompaniment.
to play (music) without reading from a score.
verb (used without object),faked,fak·ing.
to fake something; pretend.
to give a fake to an opponent.
noun
anything made to appear otherwise than it actually is; counterfeit: This diamond necklace is a fake.
a person who fakes; faker: The doctor with the reputed cure for cancer proved to be a fake.
a spurious report or story.
Sports. a simulated play or move intended to deceive an opponent.
adjective
designed to deceive or cheat; not real; counterfeit.
Verb Phrases
fake out,Slang.
to trick; deceive: She faked me out by acting friendly and then stole my job.
to surprise, as by a sudden reversal: They thought we weren't coming back, but we faked them out by showing up during dinner.
Origin of fake
1
1805–15; originally vagrants' slang: to do for, rob, kill (someone), shape (something); perhaps variant of obsolete feak, feague to beat, akin to Dutch veeg a slap, vegen to sweep, wipe
With misinformation and disinformation about the pandemic, “cheap” and “deep” fakes of elected officials, and targeted ads and emotionally exploitative social media algorithms, it can begin to feel like all communication is manipulation.
The Dark Side of Smart - Facts So Romantic|Diana Fleischman|September 15, 2020|Nautilus
The state’s watchdog, however, argued that the company could falsely spread its rates over a fake population, giving the illusion that customers were getting a cost cut.
Environment Report: State Throws Cold Water on Pricing Scheme|MacKenzie Elmer|September 14, 2020|Voice of San Diego
She has coiffed hair and long fake eyelashes, but still puts in the same work everybody else does, taking orders and doing deliveries.
The Big Corporate Rescue and the America That’s Too Small to Save|by Lydia DePillis, Justin Elliott and Paul Kiel|September 12, 2020|ProPublica
You see how good we’re doing relative to other countries and other parts of the world, but the fake news doesn’t like saying that, they don’t like telling you that.
Trump keeps lying about how the US Covid-19 situation compares to other countries. Here are the facts.|Aaron Rupar|September 11, 2020|Vox
However, the new “fake news” bill would bypass the framework, allowing legislators to create a mechanism that could be used to restrict that freedom for millions of Brazilians.
Brazil’s “fake news” bill won’t solve its misinformation problem|Amy Nordrum|September 10, 2020|MIT Technology Review
He cast her as Hope, an ex-addict with an impressive pair of fake chompers—the result of years of drug abuse.
Jena Malone’s Long, Strange Trip From Homelessness to Hollywood Stardom|Marlow Stern|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Fake Twitter handles started appearing for members of its fake cast.
There Are More 'Too Many Cooks' Where That First Fever Dream Came From|Kevin Fallon|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was ignored at the time because the now-famous letter is also famously a fake.
Russell Brand’s Revolution For Morons|Michael Moynihan|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
However, Martin redeemed himself when correctly guessing a fake expletive-laden clue read by Meyers.
Amy Poehler and George R.R. Martin Play Game of ‘Game of Thrones’|Alex Chancey|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But if I could live in an economy where everyone had the privilege to be rude rather than the obligation to fake it, I would.
Why Your Waiter Hates You|Jedediah Purdy|October 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"All lies and fake figures," he said, but in a doubtful croak.
Babbitt|Sinclair Lewis
There is a bare possibility that the mutiny was real instead of a fake.
Pirates' Hope|Francis Lynde
He called a few people from here, and found out about the fake riot and police raid Ravick had cooked up.
Four-Day Planet|Henry Beam Piper
There was no need for any fake explosions this time, to give the impression of destruction.
The Legion of Lazarus|Edmond Hamilton
If that fake agreement is still in existence, I'll get it for you.
The Vagrant Duke|George Gibbs
British Dictionary definitions for fake (1 of 2)
fake1
/ (feɪk) /
verb
(tr)to cause (something inferior or not genuine) to appear more valuable, desirable, or real by fraud or pretence
to pretend to have (an illness, emotion, etc)to fake a headache
to improvise (music, stage dialogue, etc)
noun
an object, person, or act that is not genuine; sham, counterfeit, or forgery
adjective
not genuine; spurious
Derived forms of fake
faker, nounfakery, noun
Word Origin for fake
originally (C18) thieves' slang to mug or do someone; probably via Polari from Italian facciare to make or do
British Dictionary definitions for fake (2 of 2)
fake2
/ (feɪk) nautical /
verb
(tr usually foll by down) to coil (a rope) on deck
noun
one round of a coil of rope
Word Origin for fake
Middle English faken, perhaps via Lingua Franca from Italian facciare to make or do; see fake1