faux

adjective

ˈfō 

: not real or genuine: such as

a

: made to look like something else that is usually more valuable : imitation, fake

faux leather/fur

a string of faux pearls

… faux is the French word for fake, but it's a very chic fake. Faux marble, for example, is found in the best of homes.

—Sylvia Sachs

b

: not sincere

a show of faux [=feigned] concern

On Monday the CEO dusted off a version of the "I'm sorry if I offended you" faux apology used when people really mean, "I'm sorry I got caught."

—The East Bay (California) Times

Synonyms of faux

• synthetic
• fake
• simulated
• artificial
• imitation
• dummy
• false
• mock

Examples of faux in a Sentence

even the celebrity interior designer was fooled by the faux marble

Recent Examples on the Web

There are few things in this world more sanctimonious and hypocritical than left-wing sportswriters getting on their faux moral high horse. —Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026

As this column has said for years, big BTC surges are every bit the indictment of the faux currency as the declines are. —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

Available in black, white, or midnight blue, the headset features matte plastic earcups with big, soft memory foam earpads wrapped in a nicely supple faux leather. —Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 14 June 2026

In contrast, faux sourdough may have a long ingredient list, including commercial or baker's yeast (for leavening) and tangy ingredients (like vinegar or acetic acid). —Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 13 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, false

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing faux

• faux-hawk
• faux-naïf
• faux-naif
• faux pas

Rhymes for faux

• beau
• beaut
• beaux
• blow
• bro
• coe
• crow
• doe
• doh
• dough
• eau
• eaux

Kids Definition

faux

adjective

ˈfō 

: imitation entry 2

faux marble

Etymology

from French, "false," from Latin falsus