False vs. Fake: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
False refers to something not true or correct, whereas fake implies something is made to appear real or genuine but is not.
Key Differences
False is primarily used to describe something that is untrue or incorrect, often in the context of statements or beliefs. Fake, on the other hand, is used to describe objects, documents, or representations that are deliberately made to deceive by imitating something real.
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Dec 02, 2023
False applies to concepts, ideas, or statements lacking in truth or accuracy. In contrast, fake is commonly used for tangible items that are imitations or replicas, intended to be passed off as the original.
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Dec 02, 2023
A statement can be false without any intent to deceive, simply being erroneous. Conversely, something fake usually involves an element of deceit or creation with the intention of misleading others into believing it's real.
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Dec 02, 2023
Falsehood can exist in abstract concepts like arguments, logic, or information. Fake, however, is often associated with physical duplicity, like counterfeit products, forged documents, or artificial substances.
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Dec 02, 2023
In the realm of emotions or behavior, a person can be falsely accused (wrongly blamed), whereas fake behavior implies deliberate pretense or artificial conduct.
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Dec 02, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Primary Usage
Pertains to incorrectness or untruth
Pertains to imitation or deceit
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Context
Often used for statements, beliefs, information
Commonly used for objects, documents, materials
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Intent
Can be unintentional or without deceit
Generally involves deliberate deception
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Association
Linked with abstract concepts like logic or arguments
Associated with physical objects or behavior
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Emotional/Behavioral Aspect
False accusation (no intent to deceive)
Fake behavior (pretense or artificiality)
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False and Fake Definitions
Fake
Artificial or not natural.
The movie used fake blood for special effects.
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False
Arising from mistaken ideas
False hopes of writing a successful novel.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fake
(Sports) A brief feint or aborted change of direction intended to mislead one's opponent or the opposing team.
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Oct 19, 2023
False
Intentionally deceptive
A suitcase with a false bottom.
False promises.
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Fake
To simulate; feign
Faked his death so his wife would collect insurance money.
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False
Resembling but not accurately or properly designated as such
A false thaw in January.
The false dawn peculiar to the tropics.
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Oct 19, 2023
False
(Computers) Indicating one of two possible values taken by a variable in Boolean logic or a binary device.
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False
Based on factually incorrect premises.
False legislation, false punishment
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Fake
Something which is not genuine, or is presented fraudulently.
I suspect this passport is a fake.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fake
(sports) A move meant to deceive an opposing player, used for gaining advantage for example when dribbling an opponent.
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Oct 19, 2023
False
(logic) Of a state in Boolean logic that indicates a negative result.}}
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Oct 19, 2023
Fake
(nautical) One of the circles or windings of a cable or hawser, as it lies in a coil; a single turn or coil.
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Oct 19, 2023
False
Not faithful or loyal, as to obligations, allegiance, vows, etc.; untrue; treacherous.
A false friend, lover, or subject;
False to promises
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Oct 19, 2023
Fake
(transitive) To make a counterfeit, to counterfeit, to forge, to falsify.
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Oct 19, 2023
False
Not well founded; not firm or trustworthy; erroneous.
A false conclusion;
A false construction in grammar
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Fake
(transitive) To make a false display of, to affect, to feign, to simulate.
To fake a marriage
To fake happiness
To fake a smile
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Oct 19, 2023
False
Not essential or permanent, as parts of a structure which are temporary or supplemental.
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Oct 19, 2023
False
Used in the vernacular name of a species (or group of species) together with the name of another species to which it is similar in appearance.
False scorpion (an arachnid)
False killer whale (a dolphin)
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Oct 19, 2023
Fake
(archaic) To modify fraudulently, so as to make an object appear better or other than it really is
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Fake
(nautical) To coil (a rope, line, or hawser), by winding alternately in opposite directions, in layers usually of zigzag or figure of eight form, to prevent twisting when running out.
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Oct 19, 2023
False
(obsolete) To violate, to betray (a promise, an agreement, one’s faith, etc.).
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Oct 19, 2023
Fake
One of the circles or windings of a cable or hawser, as it lies in a coil; a single turn or coil.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fake
To coil (a rope, line, or hawser), by winding alternately in opposite directions, in layers usually of zigzag or figure of eight form,, to prevent twisting when running out.
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Oct 19, 2023
False
One of two options on a true-or-false test.
The student received a failing grade for circling every true and false on her quiz.
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Oct 19, 2023
False
Uttering falsehood; unveracious; given to deceit; dishnest; as, a false witness.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fake
To manipulate fraudulently, so as to make an object appear better or other than it really is; as, to fake a bulldog, by burning his upper lip and thus artificially shortening it.
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Oct 19, 2023
False
Not faithful or loyal, as to obligations, allegiance, vows, etc.; untrue; treacherous; perfidious; as, a false friend, lover, or subject; false to promises.
I to myself was false, ere thou to me.
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Oct 19, 2023
False
Not according with truth or reality; not true; fitted or likely to deceive or disappoint; as, a false statement.
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Oct 19, 2023
False
Not genuine or real; assumed or designed to deceive; counterfeit; hypocritical; as, false tears; false modesty; false colors; false jewelry.
False face must hide what the false heart doth know.
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Oct 19, 2023
False
Not well founded; not firm or trustworthy; erroneous; as, a false claim; a false conclusion; a false construction in grammar.
Whose false foundation waves have swept away.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fake
Make a copy of with the intent to deceive;
He faked the signature
They counterfeited dollar bills
She forged a Green Card
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Oct 19, 2023
False
Not essential or permanent, as parts of a structure which are temporary or supplemental.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fake
Talk through one's hat;
The politician was not well prepared for the debate and faked it
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Oct 19, 2023
Fake
Not genuine or real; being an imitation of the genuine article;
It isn't fake anything; it's real synthetic fur
Faux pearls
False teeth
Decorated with imitation palm leaves
A purse of simulated alligator hide
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Oct 19, 2023
False
Not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality;
Gave false testimony under oath
False tales of bravery
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False
Arising from error;
A false assumption
A mistaken view of the situation
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False
Inappropriate to reality or facts;
Delusive faith in a wonder drug
Delusive expectations
False hopes
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False
Not genuine or real; being an imitation of the genuine article;
It isn't fake anything; it's real synthetic fur
Faux pearls
False teeth
Decorated with imitation palm leaves
A purse of simulated alligator hide
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Oct 19, 2023
False
Adopted in order to deceive;
An assumed name
An assumed cheerfulness
A fictitious address
Fictive sympathy
A pretended interest
A put-on childish voice
Sham modesty
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Oct 19, 2023
False
(used especially of persons) not dependable in devotion or affection; unfaithful;
A false friend
When lovers prove untrue
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Oct 19, 2023
False
In a disloyal and faithless manner;
He behaved treacherously
His wife played him false
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Oct 19, 2023
False
Based on mistaken beliefs.
Her assumptions about the project were false.
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Dec 02, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can someone fake emotions without being false?
Yes, one can fake emotions (simulate) without spreading false information.
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Dec 02, 2023
Can an object be false?
Not usually; 'false' is more applicable to non-tangible concepts like statements.
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Dec 02, 2023
Is a false statement always made with bad intent?
No, a statement can be false due to a misunderstanding or mistake.
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Dec 02, 2023
Are false alarms considered fake?
Not necessarily; false alarms can be triggered by mistake, without intent to deceive.
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Dec 02, 2023
Is a fake object always illegal?
Not always, but many fake items, like counterfeit goods, are illegal.
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Dec 02, 2023
Do 'false' and 'fake' have the same level of severity?
Not always; 'fake' often implies a higher level of deceit and intention.
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Dec 02, 2023
Is all fake information also false?
Generally, yes, as fake information is intended to deceive and is not true.
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Dec 02, 2023
Can opinions be false or fake?
Opinions can be based on false information, but they are subjective and not typically described as fake.
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Dec 02, 2023
Can a statement be false but not fake?
Yes, a statement can be false (incorrect) without being deliberately deceptive (fake).
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Dec 02, 2023
Can fake apply to news and information?
Yes, the term 'fake news' refers to deliberately misleading or fabricated information.
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Dec 02, 2023
Is fake jewelry illegal?
Selling fake jewelry as real can be illegal, but costume jewelry itself is not illegal.
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Dec 02, 2023
Can a false idea be harmful?
Yes, false ideas can lead to misunderstandings or harmful decisions.
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Dec 02, 2023
Can history be false?
Historical interpretations can be based on false information, but history itself is a record of past events.
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Is it possible to fake expertise?
Yes, one can pretend to have expertise they do not possess.
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Are fake flowers considered false?
They are fake in the sense of being artificial imitations of real flowers.
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Dec 02, 2023
Can a painting be false?
A painting can be falsely attributed, but it's more commonly described as a fake if it's an imitation.
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Dec 02, 2023
Is a fake personality the same as being false?
Fake personality involves deliberate pretense, which can be considered a form of being false in behavior.
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Dec 02, 2023
Are false teeth considered fake?
They are false in the sense of being artificial replacements, but not 'fake' in the deceptive sense.
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Dec 02, 2023
Is using a fake ID always considered fraud?
Yes, using a fake ID to misrepresent one's identity is typically considered fraudulent.
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Dec 02, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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