false

The word “false” means not true; incorrect or contrary to fact. In plain terms, not true, not real, or — in computing — the opposite of "true.".

“False” is pronounced fawls (/fɔls/ in IPA).

Here is “false” used in a sentence: “The rumor turned out to be completely false.”

Words with a similar meaning to “false” include lease.

“False” is an adjective.

The word “false” comes from Latin. From Old English fals, from Latin falsus ("deceived, counterfeit"), the past participle of fallere ("to deceive").

“False” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“False” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not true; incorrect or contrary to fact.

False describes something that is untrue or contrary to fact, such as a false claim or a false rumour. Fake describes something that is not genuine or authentic, usually a physical object or identity, such as a fake painting or a fake ID. In short, statements are false, while things are fake.

The direct opposite of false is true. Related opposites include correct, accurate, and factual, depending on the context. Where false means artificial, as in false teeth, the opposite would be real or natural. But in its core meaning of not matching the facts, true is the clearest and most reliable antonym.

Yes, false generally carries a negative tone, since it means something fails to match the truth. Calling a statement false is a clear criticism of its accuracy. It can also imply deception, as in false promises or a false friend, where it suggests dishonesty rather than a simple honest mistake.

Saying 'the sun rises in the west' is a false statement, because it contradicts an established fact. Other examples include a false alarm that reports danger where none exists, or false information spread online. In each case, what is described does not match reality and can mislead the people who hear it.