Main Entry: ¹false

Pronunciation: \ˈfȯls\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): fals·er; fals·est

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

Date: 12th century

1 : not genuine <false documents> <false teeth>
2 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>
3 : not true <false concepts>
4 a : not faithful or loyal : treacherous <a false friend> b : lacking naturalness or sincerity <false sympathy>
5 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>
6 : inaccurate in pitch <a false note>
7 a : based on mistaken ideas <false pride> b : inconsistent with the facts <a false position> <a false sense of security>
8 : threateningly sudden or deceptive <don't make any false moves>

synonyms see faithless

— false·ly adverb

— false·ness noun