fabrication
fab-rih-KAY-shun
/ˌfæbrɪˈkeɪʃən/
The action or process of inventing or concocting something, typically with deceitful intent; a lie.
Fabrication implies creating something entirely false, often a story or piece of evidence, with the specific purpose of deceiving.
The story behind the word. The word 'fabrication' comes from the Latin 'fabrica,' meaning 'workshop' or 'structure,' which also gave us 'factory.' It originally referred to the act of constructing or building something. By the 17th century, it took on the metaphorical sense of 'constructing' a false story or a lie, implying a deliberate and artful creation of something untrue, much like an artisan constructs an object.
Word relationships
- lie: An intentionally false statement.
- invention: A thing that has been invented; can also mean the act of inventing something, often implying creativity rather than deceit.
- forgery: The action of forging or producing a copy of a document, signature, banknote, or work of art.
- truth: The quality or state of being true.
- fact: A thing that is known or proved to be true.
- reality: The state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them.
Commonly confused with
- exaggeration: Exaggeration stretches the truth; fabrication invents a whole new, false 'truth'.
Word family
- fabricate (verb): To invent or concoct (something), typically with deceitful intent.
- fabricator (noun): A person who fabricates something.
Collocations
- complete fabrication
- deliberate fabrication
- fabrication of evidence
- accused of fabrication
Example sentences
- "The journalist was fired after it was discovered that his entire exposé was a complete fabrication, with no basis in fact." Discussing a journalist's ethics.
- "The defense argued that the prosecution's key evidence was a fabrication, designed to mislead the jury." In a legal case.
Memory hook
A 'FABRICATION' is a 'FAKE-BRICK-ATION' – building a story with fake bricks of lies. Building a lie
When not to use
Do not use 'fabrication' for a simple mistake or an unintentional error; it implies deliberate invention and deceit.
Fun facts
- In manufacturing, 'fabrication' still refers to the process of making something from raw materials.
- The term 'hoax' is often used for a humorous or malicious fabrication designed to trick people.
Related words
Explore more words
fabricate, falsification, confabulation, forgery, deceitful, artifice
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