I. ˈfāk transitive verb
( faked ; fak·ing )
Etymology: Middle English
Date: 15th century
: to coil in fakes
II. noun
Date: 1627
: one loop of a coil (as of ship's rope or a fire hose) coiled free for running
III. adjective
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1775
: counterfeit , sham
IV. noun
Date: 1827
: one that is not what it purports to be: as
a. : a worthless imitation passed off as genuine
b. : impostor , charlatan
c. : a simulated movement in a sports contest (as a pretended kick, pass, or jump or a quick movement in one direction before going in another) designed to deceive an opponent
d. : a device or apparatus used by a magician to achieve the illusion of magic in a trick
Synonyms: see imposture
V. verb
( faked ; fak·ing )
Date: 1851
transitive verb
1. : to alter, manipulate, or treat so as to give a spuriously genuine appearance to : doctor
faked the lab results
2. : counterfeit , simulate , concoct
faked a heart attack
3. : to deceive (an opponent) in a sports contest by means of a fake
4. : improvise , ad-lib
whistle a few bars…and I'll fake the rest — Robert Sylvester
intransitive verb
1. : to engage in faking something : pretend — sometimes used with it
if you don't have the answers, fake it
2. : to give a fake to an opponent
• fak·er noun
• fak·ery ˈfā-k(ə-)rē noun