How to pronounce phony
Say it like FOH-nee. Phony has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce phony. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FOH
- nee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Phony pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- neeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of phony
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: FOH-nee.
What does phony mean?
- A person who assumes an identity or quality other than their own.“He claims to be a doctor, but he's nothing but a fast-talking phony.”
- A person who professes beliefs or opinions that they do not hold.“He's such a phony, he doesn't believe half of what he says.”
- Anything fraudulent or fake.
- Fraudulent; fake; having a misleading appearance.“A good jeweler should be able to tell a real stone from a phony one.”
- To fake.
Where does phony come from?
Of unknown origin. Perhaps an alteration of fawny (“gilt brass ring used by swindlers”) (1781), from Irish fáinne (“ring”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with phony
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of phony.
Words that sound like phony
Questions about saying phony
How do you pronounce phony?
Say FOH-nee. The American pronunciation is /ˈfoʊni/. In British English it is /ˈfəʊni/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in phony?
Phony has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FOH). Broken into parts: FOH · nee.
Is phony pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈfəʊni/ (FOH-nee).
What words sound the same as phony?
Phony sounds the same as phoney in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.