false — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Untrue, not factual, factually incorrect.

   Usage

   • of a statement

   Synonyms

   erroneousfallacious

   Antonyms

   realtrue

   Examples

   Also the rule of false position, with dyuers examples not onely vulgar, but some appertaynyng to the rule of Algeber.

2. Based on factually incorrect premises.

   Examples

   false legislation, false punishment

3. Spurious, artificial.

   Examples

   false teeth

   More examples (1)

   At her invitation he outlined for her the succeeding chapters with terse military accuracy; and what she liked best and best understood was avoidance of that false modesty which condescends, turning technicality into pabulum.

4. Of a state in Boolean logic that indicates a negative result.

5. Uttering falsehood; dishonest or deceitful.

   Examples

   a false witness

6. Not faithful or loyal, as to obligations, allegiance, vows, etc.; untrue; treacherous.

   Examples

   a false friend, lover, or subject; false to promises

   I to my ſelf was falſe, e’re thou to me,[…]

   More examples (1)

   She had been in Baton Rouge but a little over two weeks, when suddenly his letters ceased. She awaited in anxious suspense a whole week — no letter. Another week dragged heavily, and her anxiety became a terrible fear. Was he sick and unable to write — was he dead — or, still more terrible thought, had he proved false?

7. Not well founded; not firm or trustworthy; erroneous.

   Examples

   a false conclusion; a false construction in grammar

   So downe he fell, as an huge rockie clift, / Whoſe falſe foundacion waues haue waſht away,[…]

8. Not essential or permanent, as parts of a structure which are temporary or supplemental.

9. Used in the vernacular name of a species (or group of species) together with the name of another species to which it is similar in appearance.

   Examples

   false scorpion (an arachnid)

   false killer whale (a dolphin)

   More examples (1)

   false powderpost beetles (members of Bostrichidae not in Lyctinae)

10. Out of tune.

Verb

1. To incorrectly decode noise as if it were a valid signal.

   Usage

   • of a decoder

2. To begin a race before being instructed to do so; to do a false start.

   Examples

   Records have been broken, races have been dedicated, dreams have been dreamed, starts have been falsed and nouns have been verbed.

3. To violate, to betray (a promise, an agreement, one’s faith, etc.).

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Synonyms

   double-crossfalsifysell out

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   And he that could with giftes and promiſes, Inueigle him that lead a thouſand horſe, And make him falſe his faith vnto his King, Will quickly win ſuch as be like himſelfe.

4. To counterfeit, to forge.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

5. To make false, to corrupt from something true or real.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

Adverb

1. In a dishonest and disloyal way; falsely.

   Synonyms

   dastardlyinsincerelytraitorwise

   Examples

   Sweet Lord, you play me falſe.

Noun

1. One of two options on a true-or-false test, that not representing true.

   Examples

   The student received a failing grade for circling every true and false on her quiz.

Adjective

1. not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality

   Antonyms

   true

   Examples

   gave false testimony under oath

   false tales of bravery

2. arising from error

   Synonyms

   mistaken

   Examples

   a false assumption

   a mistaken view of the situation

3. erroneous and usually accidental

   Examples

   a false start

   a false alarm

4. deliberately deceptive

   Examples

   false pretenses

5. inappropriate to reality or facts

   Synonyms

   delusive

   Examples

   delusive faith in a wonder drug

   delusive expectations

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   false hopes

6. not genuine or real; being an imitation of the genuine article

   Synonyms

   fakefauximitationsimulated

   Examples

   it isn't fake anything; it's real synthetic fur

   faux pearls

   More examples (3)

   false teeth

   decorated with imitation palm leaves

   a purse of simulated alligator hide

7. designed to deceive

   Examples

   a suitcase with a false bottom

8. inaccurate in pitch

   Synonyms

   off-keysour

   Examples

   a false (or sour) note

   her singing was off key

9. adopted in order to deceive

   Synonyms

   assumedfictitiousfictivepretendedput onsham

   Examples

   an assumed name

   an assumed cheerfulness

   More examples (5)

   a fictitious address

   fictive sympathy

   a pretended interest

   a put-on childish voice

   sham modesty

10. (used especially of persons) not dependable in devotion or affection; unfaithful

    Synonyms

    untrue

    Examples

    a false friend

    when lovers prove untrue

Adverb

1. in a disloyal and faithless manner

   Synonyms

   faithlesslytraitorouslytreacherouslytreasonably

   Examples

   he behaved treacherously

   his wife played him false