What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sham
Example
The company's claims of eco-friendliness were revealed to be a sham. [sham: noun]
Example
He put on a sham smile to hide his disappointment. [sham: adjective]
fake
Example
The painting was revealed to be a fake after extensive testing. [fake: noun]
Example
She put on a fake accent to impress her new friends. [fake: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fake is more commonly used than sham in everyday language. Fake is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sham is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sham and fake?
Sham is typically associated with a more formal tone, while fake is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
