Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Not true or correct; wrong: "false" describes something that is not in accordance with fact, truth, or reality.
   • Not genuine; artificial or imitation: "false" refers to something made to look real but is not authentic.
   • Based on mistaken ideas: "false" can describe beliefs, hopes, or assumptions that are incorrect.
   • Deliberately deceptive or dishonest: "false" indicates an intent to mislead or betray.
   • Not faithful or loyal: "false" describes a person who is insincere or treacherous in affection or allegiance.
   • Inaccurate in musical pitch: "false" describes a note that is off-key or out of tune.

2. Adverb:

   • In a treacherous or dishonest manner: "false" describes acting with disloyalty or deceit.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • He gave false testimony in court. (His statement was not true.)
  • She was wearing false eyelashes. (The eyelashes were artificial, not real.)
  • The rumor turned out to be false. (The rumor was incorrect.)
  • He is a false friend. (He is not a loyal or dependable friend.)
  • The singer hit a false note. (The musical note was off-pitch.)

• Adverb:

  • He swore to help but then played me false. (He acted in a treacherous way toward me.)

Advanced Usage

• "under false pretences": by pretending to be something one is not, or by lying about one's intentions.
  • He obtained the money under false pretences.
• "false alarm": a warning or signal that is given mistakenly, causing unnecessary alarm.
  • The fire evacuation was a false alarm.
• "false start": an attempt to begin something that is invalidated by an error or premature action.
  • The race had two false starts.

Variants and Related Words

• Falsify (verb): to alter information so as to mislead; to make false.
  • He tried to falsify the documents.
• Falsity (noun): the state of being untrue.
  • The falsity of the claim was obvious.
• Falsehood (noun): a lie; the state of being untrue.
  • He was accused of spreading falsehoods.

Synonyms

• Incorrect: not accurate or true.
• Fake: not genuine; imitation.
• Untrue: not in accordance with fact.
• Deceptive: intended to mislead.
• Treacherous: guilty of betrayal.

Related Phrases and Phrasal Verbs

• To prove false: to be shown to be incorrect or untrue.
  • His theory was proven false by new evidence.
• To play someone false: to betray or deceive someone.
  • I trusted him, but he played me false.

Related Idioms

• A false economy: something that seems to save money but actually costs more in the long run.
  • Buying cheap tools is often a false economy.
• Sail under false colors: to pretend to be something one is not; to deceive.
  • The company was sailing under false colors, claiming to be eco-friendly.

Adjective

1. (used especially of persons) not dependable in devotion or affection; unfaithful
   • a false friend
   • when lovers prove untrue
2. adopted in order to deceive
   • an assumed name
   • an assumed cheerfulness
   • a fictitious address
   • fictive sympathy
   • a pretended interest
   • a put-on childish voice
   • sham modesty
3. inaccurate in pitch
   • a false (or sour) note
   • her singing was off key
4. designed to deceive
   • a suitcase with a false bottom
5. not genuine or real; being an imitation of the genuine article; it's real synthetic fur"
   • it isn't fake anything
   • faux pearls
   • false teeth
   • decorated with imitation palm leaves
   • a purse of simulated alligator hide
6. inappropriate to reality or facts
   • delusive faith in a wonder drug
   • delusive expectations
   • false hopes
7. deliberately deceptive
   • false pretenses
8. erroneous and usually accidental
   • a false start
   • a false alarm
9. arising from error
   • a false assumption
   • a mistaken view of the situation
10. not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
    • gave false testimony under oath
    • false tales of bravery

Adverb

1. in a disloyal and faithless manner
   • he behaved treacherously
   • his wife played him false