What does false mean?
"False" describes anything that is not true, not real, or deliberately misleading. In its most basic sense it contradicts fact: a false statement, a false answer, a false accusation. It also conveys dishonesty — a false friend says one thing and means another — and inauthenticity, as with false teeth, a false bottom in a drawer, or a false identity on a document. The word appears in many fixed expressions, including "false alarm," "false start," "false positive," and "false sense of security," which show how deeply it is embedded in everyday English. In science, law, and logic it serves a precise technical role as the opposite of true, while in ordinary speech its emotional weight can be severe: calling someone false implies treachery rather than simple mistake. Derived from Latin through French, it has shaped related words such as falsehood, falsify, and fallacy, making it central to how English talks about deception, error, and authenticity.
adjectiveNot true, correct, or genuine; deliberately deceitful or based on mistaken information.
- Untrue or incorrect; contrary to fact.
- Deliberately deceitful or lying.
- Not genuine; artificial or counterfeit.
- Illusory or appearing to be something it is not (e.g. a false sense of security).
"The witness gave false information to the police."
"The rumour proved entirely false."
"He was arrested for travelling under a false passport."
The word "false" comes from Latin *falsus*, but it reached English twice — once directly from Latin and again via Old French — which is why it's one of the most heavily doubled-rooted words in the language.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of false
"False" originates from the Latin adjective *falsus*, meaning deceptive or untrue, itself derived from the verb *fallere* ("to deceive"). It entered Old French as *fals* and was adopted into Middle English around the 13th century, partly reinforced by direct borrowing from Latin. Its Latin root also produced English cognates such as fallacy, fault, and default, all tracing back to notions of failing or deceiving.
Related word forms
How false is actually used
"False" carries strongly negative connotations when describing people or statements, implying dishonesty rather than mere error; in technical and scientific contexts (e.g. logic, programming) it is a neutral truth value. In formal logic and computing, "false" is one of two Boolean values alongside "true." The comparative form "falser" is rare and generally avoided; writers instead say "more false" or rephrase.
Easily confused with false
Faux is an adjective borrowed from French meaning artificial or imitation (e.g. faux fur), while false means untrue, incorrect, or deceptive.