As adjectives the difference between false and fake is that false is untrue, not factual, factually incorrect while fake is not real; false, fraudulent. As a adverb false is not truly; not honestly; falsely. As a noun fake is something which is not genuine, or is presented fraudulently or fake can be (nautical) one of the circles or windings of a cable or hawser, as it lies in a coil; a single turn or coil. As a verb fake is to cheat; to swindle; to steal; to rob or fake can be (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.