What does perjuring mean?
Perjuring means making a false statement while under oath or affirmation. The word is the present participle of the verb perjure and can also function as an adjective, as in “perjuring witness.” Unlike an ordinary lie, perjuring takes place in a formal or legal setting where a person has sworn or affirmed that the evidence they provide is truthful. It carries a strongly accusatory and technical tone and is associated with criminal offences, court proceedings, and sworn testimony. The related noun perjury is often more common in general writing because it names the offence directly. Perjuring is therefore especially useful when describing the act itself or identifying a person whose sworn testimony has been deceptive.
Knowingly making a false statement under oath or affirmation.
"She was charged with perjuring herself before the court."
Used in formal legal contexts; it is the present participle of perjure and functions with forms such as accused of and found guilty of.
Describing a person who has committed perjury or made a knowingly false statement under oath.
"The perjuring witness was sentenced for contempt of court."
Usually appears before a noun such as witness, defendant, or accomplice.
Perjuring is a false statement made under oath: a lie with legal consequences.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of perjuring
The word comes through Old French perjure from Latin perjurium, a noun meaning “sworn oath” or “false oath.” The Latin verb perjurare was formed from per- and jurare, “to swear,” so the literal sense was “to swear falsely.” English borrowed the noun in the Middle English period, while the verb perjure developed separately from the same legal and Latin roots.
Related word forms
How perjuring is actually used
This is chiefly a formal legal term. In ordinary use, perjuring most often occurs before a witness or as the name of an offence; it is less common than the noun perjury in general prose.
Easily confused with perjuring
Perjuring is the verb form or adjective describing the act of making a false statement under oath, whereas perjury is the noun naming that offence.