FauxNot genuine; made to appear like something real or valuable. means not real, but made to look like the real thing. It is often used for materials, objects, or styles that imitateCopy the appearance or style of another thing. something more expensive or authenticGenuine, true, and not fake or copied..
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /foks/
Easy pronunciation: FOKS (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable; stress is on the only syllable.
Adjective meaning fake or imitation; in standard American English, faux is pronounced like fox.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Faux Meaning
fake or imitation
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: not genuine or real; made as an imitation of the real thing
Example: She wore faux pearls to the gala.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- fake — A direct everyday substitute for something not genuine.
- imitation — Works well when something is made to copy the appearance of the original.
- false — Can mean not genuine, though it is less specific than faux in modern usage.
- simulated — Fits some technical or descriptive contexts, but is less common in everyday speech.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Faux Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- fake
- imitation
- false
- simulated
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use faux to mean ‘fraudulent’ or ‘dishonest,’ but its core meaning is simply ‘not real’ or ‘made to imitate.’
- Faux is usually an adjective before a noun, as in faux fur or faux leather.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does faux mean?
Faux means not real or genuine. It describes something made to look like the original, such as faux leather or faux flowers.
What are the best synonyms for faux?
Common synonyms include fake and imitation. In some contexts, false and simulated also work.
Is faux the same as fake?
Yes, often. Faux and fake both describe something that is not genuine, though faux is usually used in a more polished or decorative way.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.