False

Pronunciation

• GenAm IPA: /fÉ”ls/, /fÉ‘ls/
• RP IPA: /fɔːls/

Origin

Middle English false, from Old English fals ("wrong, mistaken"), from Latin falsus ("counterfeit, false; falsehood"), perfect passive participle of fallō ("deceive"). Reinforced in Middle English by Anglo-Norman and Old French fals, faus. Compare German falsch, Dutch vals, Danish and Swedish falsk, all from Latin falsus. Displaced native Middle English les, lese ("false"), from Old English lēas; See lease, leasing.

For spelling, the -e (on -lse) is so the end is pronounced /ls/, rather than /lz/ as in falls, and does not change the vowel (‘a’). Compare else, pulse, convulse.

Full definition of false

Adjective

1. Untrue, not factual, factually incorrect.
• 1551, A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles: Founded Mainly on the Materials Collected by the Philological Society, 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: false legislation
3. Spurious, artificial.
   false tooth
• 1907, Robert Chambers, The Younger Set Chapter 8, 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. (logic) Of a state in Boolean logic that indicates a negative result.
5. Uttering falsehood; dishonest or deceitful.
   a false witness
6. Not faithful or loyal, as to obligations, allegiance, vows, etc.; untrue; treacherous.
   a false friend, lover, or subject;   false to promises
• John Milton (1608-1674)I to myself was false, ere thou to me.
7. Not well founded; not firm or trustworthy; erroneous.
   a false conclusion;   a false construction in grammar
• Edmund Spenser (c.1552–1599)whose false foundation waves have swept away
8. Not essential or permanent, as parts of a structure which are temporary or supplemental.
9. (music) Out of tune.

Synonyms

• lease

Antonyms

• (untrue) real, true

Derived terms

Related terms

• falsifiable

Adverb

1. Not truly; not honestly; falsely.
• ShakespeareYou play me false.

Anagrams

• fleas
• leafs