false

comparative falser · superlative falsest

1. Untrue, not factual, factually incorrect.

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

   1551, James A.H. Murray, editor, A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles: Founded Mainly on the Materials Collected by the Philological Society, volume 1, Oxford: Clarendon Press, published 1888, Part 1, page 217, column 2

   Synonyms: erroneous, fallacious, bastard, counterfactual, erroneous, fallacious, off, counterfeit · Antonyms: real, true

2. Based on factually incorrect premises.

   false legislation, false punishment

3. Spurious, artificial.

   false teeth

   1 more example

   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.

   1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, “Silverside”, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC, page 300

4. human sciencesOf 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

   2 more examples

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

   1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […].”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 52, line 25

   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?

   1861, E. J. Guerin, Mountain Charley, page 7

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

   a false conclusion;  a false construction in grammar

   1 more example

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

   1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book I, Canto XI”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 54, page 170

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.

   false scorpion (an arachnid)

   2 more examples

   false killer whale (a dolphin)

   false powderpost beetles (members of Bostrichidae not in Lyctinae)

10. entertainmentOut of tune.

present singular third person falses · participle present falsing · participle past falsed · past falsed

1. businessTo incorrectly decode noise as if it were a valid signal.
2. To begin a race before being instructed to do so; to do a false start.

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

   2011 September 1, Harry Pearson, “London 2012 can legacy by verbing the noun”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 22 Sep 2024

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

   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.

   c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act II, scene ii

   Synonyms: double-cross, falsify, sell out, assfuck, betray, burn, cop out, cross out

4. obsoleteTo counterfeit, to forge.
5. obsoleteTo make false, to corrupt from something true or real.

comparative more false · superlative most false

1. In a dishonest and disloyal way; falsely.

   Sweet Lord, you play me falſe.

   1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii], page 17, column 2

   Synonyms: dastardly, insincerely, traitorwise, dishonestly, falsefully, falsely, illegitimately, insincerely

plural falses

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

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

1. not comparablebusinessone of two states of a Boolean variable; logic 0.