false^*fɔls(adj.; adv.)fals•er, fals•est

1. (adj.)not true or correct; erroneous; wrong:

   a false statement.

2. uttering or declaring what is untrue; lying:

   a false witness.

3. not faithful or loyal; treacherous; hypocritical:

   a false friend.

4. tending to deceive or mislead; deceptive:

   a false impression.

5. not genuine; counterfeit.

6. based on mistaken, erroneous, or inconsistent impressions, ideas, or facts:

   false pride.

7. used as a substitute or supplement, esp. temporarily:

   false supports for a bridge.

8. Biol. having a superficial resemblance to something that properly bears the name:

   the false acacia.

   Category: Biology

9. not properly, accurately, or honestly made, done, or adjusted:

   a false balance.

10. inaccurate in pitch, as a musical note.

11. (adv.)dishonestly; faithlessly; treacherously.

Idioms for false:

1. play someone false,to betray or mislead someone.

   Category: Idiom

^* Syn: false , sham , counterfeit agree in referring to something that is not genuine. false is used mainly of imitations of concrete objects; it sometimes implies an intent to deceive: false teeth; false hair.sham is rarely used of concrete objects and usu. has the suggestion of intent to deceive: sham title; sham tears.counterfeit always has the implication of cheating; it is used particularly of spurious imitation of coins and paper money.

Origin of false:

bef. 1000; ME, OE fals < L falsus, ptp. of fallere to deceive

false′ness(n.)