phony
pronunciation
How to pronounce phony in British English:
UK ['fəʊni:]
How to pronounce phony in American English:
US [ˈfoni]
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- Noun:
- a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he does not hold
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- Adjective:
- fraudulent; having a misleading appearance
Word Origin
- phony (adj.)
- also phoney, "not genuine," 1899, perhaps an alteration of fawney "gilt brass ring used by swindlers." His most successful swindle was selling "painted" or "phony" diamonds. He had a plan of taking cheap stones, and by "doctoring" them make them have a brilliant and high class appearance. His confederates would then take the diamonds to other pawnbrokers and dispose of them. ["The Jewelers Review," New York, April 5, 1899] The noun meaning "phony person or thing" is attested from 1902.
Example
- 1. You won 't fool anyone with a phony .
- 2. They tricked him to sign their phony peace agreement .
- 3. The fbi cautions americans to beware of phony charities and other scams .
- 4. You think I 'm phony ?
- 5. Why the phony number ?