Main Entry: ¹pho·ny

Variant(s): also pho·ney \ˈfō-nē\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): pho·ni·er; pho·ni·est

Etymology: perhaps alteration of fawney gilded brass ring used in the fawney rig, a confidence game, from Irish fáinne ring, from Old Irish ánne — more at anus

Date: 1900

: not genuine or real: as a (1) : intended to deceive or mislead (2) : intended to defraud : counterfeit b : arousing suspicion : probably dishonest <something phony about the story> c : having no basis in fact : fictitious <phony publicity stories> d : false, sham <a phony name> e : making a false show: as (1) : hypocritical (2) : specious <has a phony poetic elegance — New Republic>

— pho·ni·ly \ˈfō-ni-lē\ adverb

— pho·ni·ness \ˈfō-nē-nəs\ noun