falser; falsest
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
falsely
adverb
falseness
noun
: in a false or faithless manner : treacherously
his friends played him false
Synonyms
Examples of false in a Sentence
Adjective
Indicate whether each of the following statements is true or false.
He registered at the hotel under a false name.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 4 Apr. 2024
There was Dan Bishop for attorney general, who’d echoed false claims the 2020 election was stolen.
—Danielle Paquette, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
The story is political but also politically muddled, imparting a vague warning about the hazards of worshiping false idols.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Lake, a former local news anchor who has never held public office, has become known in part for her outspoken support of Trump's false claims of voter fraud.
—Olivia Rubin, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2024
The lawsuits come after the false posts from Burchett and the Missouri lawmakers sparked a social media firestorm in the wake of the shooting.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
In addition to the false information provided by staff, Govindarajan also said the building was missing signs that would have directed voters to the polls.
—Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2024
Some of the ads approved by YouTube contained false information aimed at suppressing votes, such as saying ID is not required to vote, or that women could vote by text message.
—Billy Perrigo, TIME, 2 Apr. 2024
The Shams brothers also face charges of filing false tax documents, and Ahmad Shams faces two counts of perjury for allegedly lying to a federal grand jury.
—Sam Stanton, Sacramento Bee, 23 Mar. 2024
Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 14 Feb. 2023
Adjective
Meza was also arrested on suspicion of two misdemeanors, use or possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent to use, and providing false information to an officer, online jail records showed.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 4 Apr. 2024
There was Dan Bishop for attorney general, who’d echoed false claims the 2020 election was stolen.
—Danielle Paquette, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
The story is political but also politically muddled, imparting a vague warning about the hazards of worshiping false idols.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Lake, a former local news anchor who has never held public office, has become known in part for her outspoken support of Trump's false claims of voter fraud.
—Olivia Rubin, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2024
The lawsuits come after the false posts from Burchett and the Missouri lawmakers sparked a social media firestorm in the wake of the shooting.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
In addition to the false information provided by staff, Govindarajan also said the building was missing signs that would have directed voters to the polls.
—Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2024
Some of the ads approved by YouTube contained false information aimed at suppressing votes, such as saying ID is not required to vote, or that women could vote by text message.
—Billy Perrigo, TIME, 2 Apr. 2024
The Shams brothers also face charges of filing false tax documents, and Ahmad Shams faces two counts of perjury for allegedly lying to a federal grand jury.
—Sam Stanton, Sacramento Bee, 23 Mar. 2024
Adverb
Mitchell, of Canton, won the 2019 State Open 100-meter title after Miller false-started and was disqualified.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 14 Feb. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'false.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Adverb
Middle English fals, faus, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin falsus, from past participle of fallere to deceive
First Known Use
Adjective
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a
Adverb
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of false was
in the 12th century
Phrases Containing false
Dictionary Entries Near false
Cite this Entry
“False.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/false. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
false
adjectiveˈfȯls
falser; falsest
1
: not genuine
false documents
false teeth
2
a
: intentionally untrue
false testimony
b
: intended or tending to mislead
false promise
3
: not true : incorrect
false information
4
: not faithful or loyal : treacherous
5
: not necessary to structure
a false ceiling
6
: inaccurate in pitch
a false note
7
: based on mistaken ideas
false pride
falsely
adverb
falseness
noun
Medical Definition
false
adjective
falser; falsest
1
: not corresponding to truth or reality
a test for HIV which gave false results
2
: artificially made
false teeth
3
: of a kind related to or resembling another kind that is usually designated by the unqualified vernacular
false oats
falsely
adverb
falseness
noun
Legal Definition
false
adjective1
: not genuine, authentic, or legitimate compare counterfeit
2
a
: not true or correct
especially
: intentionally or knowingly untrue or incorrect
injured by false accusations
b
: intended to mislead or deceive : deceptive, misleading compare fraudulent
falsely
adverb
falseness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share