To fake something means to make it appear real or genuine when it isn't. A fake diamond looks like a real one but is actually made of glass or plastic. Fake flowers in a vase might fool you from across the room, but up close you can tell they're made of cloth or paper.

People can fake things too. When you fake a smile, you're showing happiness you don't actually feel. An athlete might fake left but run right, making defenders think they're going one direction when they're planning another. This kind of faking is just strategy, not dishonesty.

But faking often involves deception. Someone who fakes an illness to skip school is lying. A person who fakes their credentials on a job application is being dishonest about their qualifications. Art forgers create fake paintings and try to sell them as originals, which is a serious crime.

As a noun, a fake is either the false thing itself (like a counterfeit bill) or a person who pretends to be something they're not. If someone acts friendly but gossips behind your back, you might call them a fake. The word carries a sting because authenticity matters: people respect those who are genuine, even with their flaws, more than those who put on an act.