English Profile

fake · adjective

/feɪk/Full view

fake

C1 not real, but made to look or seem real

Dictionary examples:

fake fur

a fake passport

Learner example:

On the walls there are paintings which are very artistic - one of them is a fake Picasso. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Dutch)

fake · noun C

/feɪk/

fake (COPY)

C2 a copy of something that is intended to look real or valuable and deceive people

Dictionary example:

Experts say that the painting is a fake.

Learner example:

Many of the pictures taken are fakes. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

fake (PERSON)

C2 someone who pretends to have particular skills or qualities so that they can deceive people or get their admiration

Dictionary example:

He said he was a doctor, but we soon realized he was a fake.

Learner example:

So, after all he was a fake! (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Italian)

fake · verb T

/feɪk/

fake (COPY)

C2 to copy something in order to deceive people

Dictionary example:

The documents had been faked.

Learner example:

People liked it so much that another author, using the [pseudonym] of "Arellaneda", faked Cervante's novel by writing a second part. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

fake (PRETEND)

C2 to pretend that something has happened when it has not or to pretend to have a feeling that you do not have

Dictionary examples:

They faked illness to avoid having to work.

He said he was feeling sick, but he was just faking it.

Learner example:

This situation lasted about two years until Caroline had a great idea: they would fake their death and run away to live a quiet life on a secret island they would have bought under an alias. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)