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phony

Pronunciation: /ˈfoʊni/

The English word “phony” has 5 meanings listed here.

adjective

  1. Fraudulent; fake; having a misleading appearance.

noun

  1. A person who assumes an identity or quality other than their own.
  2. A person who professes beliefs or opinions that they do not hold.
  3. Anything fraudulent or fake.

verb

  1. To fake.

Etymology

Of unknown origin. Perhaps an alteration of fawny (“gilt brass ring used by swindlers”) (1781), from Irish fáinne (“ring”).

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