noun

falsifiability

fal-si-fy-uh-BIL-i-tee

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Falsifiability (noun) means the quality of a claim or theory being open to being proved false by observation or experiment. Example: “Falsifiability is often treated as a key test of whether a theory counts as scientific.”

noun

The quality of a claim or theory being open to being proved false by observation or experiment.

"Falsifiability is often treated as a key test of whether a theory counts as scientific."

"Critics argued that the theory lacked falsifiability, since no possible result could ever disprove it."

"Researchers redesigned the experiment to improve its falsifiability."

How to use falsifiability

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFalsifiability is about whether a claim could, at least in theory, be proved wrong.

When to use it

It is a formal term, mostly used in science and philosophy rather than everyday speech.

Memory tip

Remember it describes a property of the claim itself, not whether the claim later turns out to be true or false.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

verifiability falsification →

Common pairings

lack of falsifiability test of falsifiability falsifiability criterion principle of falsifiability

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ is often treated as a key test of whether a theory counts as scientific.

Etymology

Falsifiability was formed in English from the adjective falsifiable and the noun-forming suffix -ity, turning the idea of something being falsifiable into a named quality.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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refutability

Antonyms

irrefutability unfalsifiability

Rhymes for falsifiability

city deity acuity parity brevity opacity paucity ability quality reality annuity gravity

See all rhymes for falsifiability →

Frequently asked questions

What does falsifiability mean in science?

It means a claim can, in principle, be shown to be false by some observation or experiment. If nothing could ever count as evidence against it, the claim is not falsifiable.

Why is falsifiability important for a theory?

It is widely used as a way of judging whether a theory is genuinely scientific, since a theory that could never be tested and found wrong is hard to treat as a scientific claim.

What is the opposite of falsifiability?

The opposite is being unfalsifiable, or irrefutable, meaning no possible evidence could ever prove the claim false.

What is the meaning of falsifiability?

"falsifiability" (noun) means the quality of a claim or theory being open to being proved false by observation or experiment.