What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
artificial
Example
She bought an artificial Christmas tree for her living room. [artificial: adjective]
Example
The flowers in the vase were artificial, but they looked very realistic. [artificial: adjective]
fake
Example
He was caught selling fake designer handbags. [fake: adjective]
Example
The painting turned out to be a fake, not an original masterpiece. [fake: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fake is more commonly used than artificial in everyday language. Fake is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while artificial is more specific and often used in technical or scientific discussions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between artificial and fake?
Both artificial and fake can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, artificial is generally considered more formal and is commonly used in technical or scientific contexts.