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

• artificial
• bogus
• dummy
• ersatz
• factitious
• fake
• false
• imitation
• imitative
• man-made
• mimic
• mock
• pretend
• sham
• simulated
• substitute
• synthetic

Examples of faux in a Sentence

even the celebrity interior designer was fooled by the faux marble

Recent Examples on the Web

Gary’s hitman personas can turn up the charm, abrasiveness, or faux bravado as the situation requires it. —Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024

Get a glimpse at all of Kardashian's Christmas trees and decorations below. 2024 The entrepreneur chose a massive flocked faux fir as the 2024 Christmas centerpiece for her Hidden Hills, Calif., residence. —Andrea Wurzburger, People.com, 22 Dec. 2024

Now, Swift is making a bold return to Kelce's VIP suit wearing a long red Charlotte Simone coat with a dramatic faux fur lining, collar, and cuffs. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 21 Dec. 2024

Adorned with twinkling lights and white trees all throughout the space, the venue’s decor also incorporates poinsettia flowers, life-size Santa replicas, giant Christmas ornaments on the space’s flower awning, gingerbread creations with faux snow accents on tables. —Michele Herrmann, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

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

Kids Definition

faux

adjective

ˈfō 

: imitation entry 2

faux marble

Etymology

from French, "false," from Latin falsus