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phony definition

☆ phony (fō′nē)

adjective phonier -·nier, phoniest -·ni·est

Informal not genuine; false, counterfeit, spurious, pretentious, etc.

Etymology: altered < Brit thieves' argot fawney, gilt ring (passed off as gold by swindlers) < Ir fáinne

noun pl. phonies -·nies

  1. something not genuine; sham; fake
  2. a person who is not what he or she pretends to be; one who deceives, dissembles, is insincere, etc.; fraud

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