Slang

phoney | phony

This page is about the slang term phoney | phony

Meaning

not genuine, not real (adj.) | a person who's not sincere or genuine (n.)

For example

  • Francine can't stand the phoney smiles she gets from people who work in shops and banks, and the phoney well-wishing of "Have a nice day" drives her crazy.

  • Politicians try to look honest and sincere, but Harry says most of them are phonies. They're just looking out for themselves.

Quick Quiz

Andy gave the police a phoney name and address so that

a. they wouldn't know who he really was

b. they could find him in future

c. they could contact his family
a) they wouldn't know who he really was b) they could find him in future c) they could contact his family

See Slang of the Day today

Contributor: Matt Errey