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