What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
false
Example
The news report was false and caused a lot of confusion. [false: adjective]
Example
He made a false accusation against his colleague, causing tension in the workplace. [false: adjective]
Example
The painting was sold as an original, but it turned out to be a false copy. [false: adjective]
fake
Example
The designer handbag she bought online turned out to be fake. [fake: adjective]
Example
He was caught selling fake tickets to the concert. [fake: adjective]
Example
She put on a fake smile to hide her disappointment. [fake: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fake is more commonly used than false in everyday language, especially in informal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between false and fake?
False is generally considered more formal than fake, and is often used in legal or academic settings.
