white lies

A form of white lie — A deliberately untrue statement which is intended to produce a favorable result; especially, one which is judged to be better than an overhonest alternative, as for example to remain polite in a superficial social exchange, or to pick one's battles.

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Meanings

noun
  1. pluralplural of white lie
Cite this entry
APA

white lies. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/white%20lies

MLA

“white lies.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/white%20lies. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “white lies,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/white%20lies.

Source: white lies on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.