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

And, to prevent you from standing next to the space heater all night, throw on a faux fur shrug. —Michelle Rostamian, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2024

Below, 34 of the best shearling jackets–faux, sherpa, and teddy included!—to buy now and bundle up in all season long. —Laura Jackson, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2024

What were some of your favorite entrances? JESSE PALMER: Personal faves include Keith rolling up in his station wagon, Charles K. fooling Joan (and the entire crew) with his faux tumble, and of course Kelsey getting out of the limo to introduce her dad Mark was pretty epic! —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 20 Sep. 2024

The look, which even came emblazoned with a faux hotel logo, was the work of Palomo Spain. —Leah Dolan, CNN, 19 Sep. 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