False meaning

What does “false” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“false” is an adjective and adverb with 11 meanings. Its most common meaning is: not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality.

false

not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
“gave false testimony under oath”
“false tales of bravery”
Oppositestrue
arising from error
“a false assumption”
“a mistaken view of the situation”
Synonymsmistaken
erroneous and usually accidental
“a false start”
“a false alarm”
deliberately deceptive
“false pretenses”
inappropriate to reality or facts
“delusive faith in a wonder drug”
“delusive expectations”
Synonymsdelusive
not genuine or real; being an imitation of the genuine article
“it isn't fake anything; it's real synthetic fur”
“faux pearls”
Synonymsfake faux imitation simulated
designed to deceive
“a suitcase with a false bottom”
inaccurate in pitch
“a false (or sour) note”
“her singing was off key”
Synonymsoff-key sour
adopted in order to deceive
“an assumed name”
“an assumed cheerfulness”
Synonymsassumed fictitious fictive pretended put on sham
(used especially of persons) not dependable in devotion or affection; unfaithful
“a false friend”
“when lovers prove untrue”
Synonymsuntrue

in a disloyal and faithless manner
“he behaved treacherously”
“his wife played him false”
Synonymsfaithlessly traitorously treacherously treasonably

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University