phoney
adjective C2
Plain meaning
not genuine; fake or dishonest
Exam-register meaning
In formal or high-level texts, it is used to describe not genuine; fake or dishonest, often with a precise or specialised tone.
In context
naturalHis response sounded phoney, so the conversation became difficult.
examThe passage presents a phoney assessment of the policy’s wider consequences.
Common collocations
a phoney responsephoney behavioura phoney situation
Watch out
Do not use “very phoney” automatically; some advanced adjectives already carry a strong meaning or need a more natural intensifier.
Word family
phoneyness (noun, where natural)phoneyly (adverb, where natural)