What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
phoney
Example
He put on a phoney accent to impress his friends. [phoney: adjective]
Example
She was caught in a phoney story about her background. [phoney: noun]
fake
Example
The painting turned out to be a fake. [fake: adjective]
Example
He was exposed as a fake when his credentials were investigated. [fake: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fake is more commonly used than phoney in everyday language, especially in American English.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between phoney and fake?
While fake is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, phoney is typically associated with a casual and informal tone.
