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

In 2016, the Hilton took over and revamped it with colonial Art Deco stylings and a random faux dinosaur skeleton that divided opinions. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026

Once your film already has the demonstrable artifice of re-enactments, why bother with the faux authenticity of reconstructed narration? —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026

The wreath’s faux flowers include daisies, lavender, jasmine, and other wildflowers for an overall bright and just-picked look. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2026

This might include colorful flags or posts with faux owls or larger birds of prey, which hunt smaller birds. —Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 13 Mar. 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
• beaux
• blow
• boe
• 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