Artificial vs. Fake — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 29, 2023
Artificial refers to something made to imitate or replicate, often using human skill, while fake implies a deliberate deception or lack of authenticity.
Difference Between Artificial and Fake
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The terms "artificial" and "fake" are often interchangeably used, but they have distinct nuances. Artificial primarily denotes something made or produced through human effort, often as a replica or substitute for something natural. For example, artificial flavors are designed to mimic natural tastes. Conversely, "fake" predominantly conveys a sense of deceit, suggesting that something is not what it appears to be.
Artificial can possess a neutral or even positive connotation. Consider fields like artificial intelligence. Here, "artificial" doesn't denote deception but rather indicates human-made intelligence, distinct from natural cognitive processes. However, when referring to items like artificial plants or artificial light, the term simply denotes a human-made version, devoid of any deceitful implications. Fake, on the other hand, is more about pretense. A fake painting implies a counterfeit, intending to deceive by passing off as an original.
Moreover, while something artificial often serves a functional purpose, like artificial limbs aiding movement, fake items generally prioritize appearance over functionality. A fake diamond, for instance, might look like a real one but doesn't have the same properties or value.
In summary, the difference lies in intent and perception. Artificial items are crafted to serve as substitutes or replicas without the intention of deceit. On the contrary, fake items or entities are often about feigning authenticity, typically for deceptive purposes.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally.
Not genuine; counterfeit.
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Intent
To replicate or substitute.
To deceive.
Connotation
Neutral or positive.
Negative.
Functionality
Often functional.
Prioritizes appearance over function.
Examples
Artificial intelligence, artificial flavor.
Fake passport, fake news.
Compare with Definitions
Artificial
Made by human skill; produced by humans.
The cake used artificial sweeteners instead of sugar.
Fake
Not genuine; imitation or counterfeit.
She was wearing a fake diamond necklace.
Artificial
Contrived or affected; not spontaneous or natural.
Her smile seemed artificial during the interview.
Fake
A thing that is not genuine; a forgery or sham.
The museum discovered the artifact was a fake.
Artificial
Involving or derived from human-made factors.
The town experienced artificial growth due to tourism.
Fake
Deceive or trick.
He tried to fake his way through the test.
Artificial
Relating to artificial products in general.
Artificial industries are booming with technological advancements.
Fake
Not genuine; imitation or counterfeit
She got on the plane with a fake passport
A fake Cockney accent
Artificial
Made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally, especially as a copy of something natural
An artificial limb
Artificial flowers
Her skin glowed in the artificial light
Fake
A thing that is not genuine; a forgery or sham
Fakes of Old Masters
Artificial
(of a person or their behaviour) insincere or affected
She gave an artificial smile
Fake
Variant spelling of flake
Artificial
(of a bid) conventional as opposed to natural
The Italian team began with an artificial club
Fake
Forge or counterfeit (something)
She faked her spouse's signature
Artificial
Made by humans, especially in imitation of something natural
An artificial sweetener that replaces sugar.
Artificial flowers.
Fake
Variant spelling of flake
Artificial
Not arising from natural or necessary causes; contrived or arbitrary
"Hausa [in Niger] ... are separated from their brethren in Nigeria by a porous and artificial border that the colonial powers left behind" (Jeffrey Tayler).
Fake
Having a false or misleading appearance; fraudulent.
Artificial
Affected or insincere
An artificial smile.
Fake
One that is not authentic or genuine; a sham.
Artificial
Man-made; made by humans; of artifice.
The flowers were artificial, and he thought them rather tacky.
Fake
(Sports) A brief feint or aborted change of direction intended to mislead one's opponent or the opposing team.
Artificial
; fake, forced, or feigned.
Her manner was somewhat artificial.
Fake
One loop or winding of a coiled rope or cable.
Artificial
Not natural or normal: imposed arbitrarily or without regard to the specifics or normal circumstances of a person, a situation, etc.
Fake
To contrive and present as genuine; counterfeit
Fake a signature.
Artificial
(bridge) Conveying some meaning other than the actual contents of one's hand.
Fake
To simulate; feign
Faked his death so his wife would collect insurance money.
Artificial
Made or contrived by art; produced or modified by human skill and labor, in opposition to natural; as, artificial heat or light, gems, salts, minerals, fountains, flowers.
Artificial strifeLives in these touches, livelier than life.
Fake
(Music) To improvise (a passage).
Artificial
Feigned; fictitious; assumed; affected; not genuine.
Fake
(Sports) To deceive (an opponent) with a fake. Often used with out.
Artificial
Artful; cunning; crafty.
Fake
To engage in feigning, simulation, or other deceptive activity.
Artificial
Cultivated; not indigenous; not of spontaneous growth; as, artificial grasses.
Fake
(Sports) To perform a fake.
Artificial
Contrived by art rather than nature;
Artificial flowers
Artificial flavoring
An artificial diamond
Artificial fibers
Artificial sweeteners
Fake
To coil (a rope or cable).
Artificial
Artificially formal;
That artificial humility that her husband hated
Contrived coyness
A stilted letter of acknowledgment
When people try to correct their speech they develop a stilted pronunciation
Fake
Not real; false, fraudulent
Which fur coat looks fake?
Artificial
Not arising from natural growth or characterized by vital processes
Fake
(of people) Insincere
Artificial
Made in imitation of something natural.
She placed artificial flowers on the table.
Fake
Something which is not genuine, or is presented fraudulently.
I suspect this passport is a fake.
Fake
(sports) A move meant to deceive an opposing player, used for gaining advantage for example when dribbling an opponent.
Fake
(archaic) A trick; a swindle
Fake
(nautical) One of the circles or windings of a cable or hawser, as it lies in a coil; a single turn or coil.
Fake
(transitive) To make a counterfeit, to counterfeit, to forge, to falsify.
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
Fake
(archaic) To cheat; to swindle; to steal; to rob.
Fake
(archaic) To modify fraudulently, so as to make an object appear better or other than it really is
Fake
To improvise, in jazz.
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.
Fake
One of the circles or windings of a cable or hawser, as it lies in a coil; a single turn or coil.
Fake
A trick; a swindle.
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.
Fake
To cheat; to swindle; to steal; to rob.
Fake
To make; to construct; to do.
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.
Fake
Something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be
Fake
A person who makes deceitful pretenses
Fake
(football) a deceptive move made by a football player
Fake
Make a copy of with the intent to deceive;
He faked the signature
They counterfeited dollar bills
She forged a Green Card
Fake
Fake or falsify;
Fudge the figures
Cook the books
Falsify the data
Fake
Talk through one's hat;
The politician was not well prepared for the debate and faked it
Fake
Fraudulent; having a misleading appearance
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
Fake
Pretend to feel or suffer from.
He had to fake a smile throughout the event.
Fake
Forge or counterfeit something.
The signature on the document was faked.
Common Curiosities
What does fake commonly indicate?
Fake typically implies a lack of authenticity or deliberate deception.
What's an example of something both artificial and fake?
An imitation leather purse is both human-made (artificial) and not genuine leather (fake).
Is every fake item artificial?
Not necessarily. While a fake item is not genuine, it might not always be human-made or artificial.
Can artificial items be of high quality?
Yes, many artificial products, like artificial diamonds, can be of premium quality.
Why might someone prefer artificial products?
Artificial items can be more durable, affordable, or accessible than their natural counterparts.
Is fake news actually false?
"Fake news" refers to disinformation or untrue stories presented as facts.
Does artificial always imply deceit?
No, artificial refers to human-made replicas or substitutes, not necessarily deceitful.
Why is the term "fake" seen negatively?
Because it implies deception and a lack of authenticity.
Are artificial flavors harmful?
Not inherently, but it's essential to check the specific ingredients and their effects.
Does fake always mean low quality?
Not necessarily. Some fake items can be well-made but lack authenticity.
What's the intent behind producing fake items?
Often, the intent is to deceive for profit, mislead, or achieve some advantage.
Can artificial things become genuine over time?
While they might gain acceptance or value, their origin as human-made won't change.
How does artificial intelligence differ from human intelligence?
Artificial intelligence is human-made and operates on algorithms, while human intelligence is natural and multifaceted.
Is there a positive context to the word "fake"?
In some settings, "fake it till you make it" suggests acting confidently until it becomes genuine.
Why might artists replicate (or fake) famous artworks?
Reasons might include practice, homage, or, in some cases, deceit for profit.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
