¹false

adjective \ˈfȯls\

: not real or genuine

: not true or accurate; especially : deliberately untrue : done or said to fool or deceive someone

: based on mistaken ideas

fals·erfals·est

Full Definition of FALSE

: not genuine <false documents> <false teeth>

a : intentionally untrue <false testimony>

b : adjusted or made so as to deceive <false scales> <a trunk with a false bottom>

c : intended or tending to mislead <a false promise>

: not true <false concepts>

a : not faithful or loyal : treacherous <a false friend>

b : lacking naturalness or sincerity <false sympathy>

a : not essential or permanent —used of parts of a structure that are temporary or supplemental

b : fitting over a main part to strengthen it, to protect it, or to disguise its appearance <a false ceiling>

: inaccurate in pitch <a false note>

a : based on mistaken ideas <false pride>

b : inconsistent with the facts <a false position> <a false sense of security>

: threateningly sudden or deceptive <don't make any false moves>

— false·ly adverb

— false·ness noun

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Origin of FALSE

Middle English fals, faus, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin falsus, from past participle of fallere to deceive

First Known Use: 12th century

Related to FALSE

Synonyms: erroneous, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, invalid, off, unsound, untrue, untruthful, wrong, off base

Antonyms: accurate, correct, errorless, exact, factual, precise, proper, right, sound, true, valid, veracious

Synonym Discussion of FALSE

faithless, false, disloyal, traitorous, treacherous, perfidious mean untrue to what should command one's fidelity or allegiance. faithless applies to any failure to keep a promise or pledge or any breach of allegiance or loyalty <faithless allies>. false stresses the fact of failing to be true in any manner ranging from fickleness to cold treachery <betrayed by false friends>. disloyal implies a lack of complete faithfulness to a friend, cause, leader, or country <disloyal to their country>. traitorous implies either actual treason or a serious betrayal of trust <traitorous acts punishable by death>. treacherous implies readiness to betray trust or confidence <a treacherous adviser>. perfidious adds to faithless the implication of an incapacity for fidelity or reliability <a perfidious double-crosser>.