phoniness

pho·ny

also pho·ney (fō′nē)

adj. pho·ni·er, pho·ni·est

1. Not genuine or real; sham or counterfeit: a phony credit card; a phony beard.

2. Spurious, deceptive, or false: a phony excuse.

3. Fraudulent, deceitful, or dishonest: a phony expert in investing.

n. pl. pho·nies also pho·neys

1. A fraudulent or dishonest person.

2. Something that is not genuine; a fake.

[Alteration of fawney, gilt brass ring used by swindlers, from Irish Gaelic fáinne, ring, from Old Irish.]

pho′ni·ly adv.

pho′ni·ness n.