false
gb/fˈɔls/ us/fˈɔls/
A2
English
~ 2600
hamis, téves, valótlan, mű-, ál-, őszintétlen, színlelt
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is false
The report turned out to be false.
Kiderült, hogy a jelentés állításai valótlanok.
She denied making the false accusation.
Tagadta, hogy hamis vádat emelt volna.
Many people believed the false story.
Learner examples
The answer is false.
A válasz helytelen.
That news is false.
Az a hír hamis.
He told a false story.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'false' with 'fake'. 'False' refers to something not true, while 'fake' often means something made to look real but is not genuine.
Meaning
Not true or correct
Collocations
false statement
|false claim
|false information
|false report
Synonyms
untrue (A direct synonym, often used interchangeably in most contexts.)
Antonyms
true (Direct opposite in terms of factual correctness.)
Themes
communication
|logic
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not true; not based on facts.
Not in accordance with fact or reality; incorrect.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
false [object]
He was traveling on a false passport.
Hamis útlevéllel utazott.
She wore false eyelashes to the party.
Műszempillát viselt a partin.
The suspect gave a false name to the police.
Learner examples
He has false teeth.
Műfogsora van.
She used a false name.
Álnevet használt.
That man has a false passport.
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'wrong' instead of 'false' when describing objects. 'Wrong' refers to correctness, not authenticity.
Meaning
Not genuine or real
Collocations
false teeth
|false passport
|false identity
Synonyms
fake (Common in informal speech; can sound less formal than 'false'.)
Antonyms
genuine (Refers to something that is real and authentic.)
Themes
objects
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Definition
Not real; made to look like something real.
Made to imitate something else; not authentic.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
false [emotion/appearance]
He greeted me with a false smile.
Hamis mosollyal üdvözölt.
Her humility seemed false to everyone.
Az alázata mindenkinek őszintétlennek tűnt.
They gave us false hope about the outcome.
Learner examples
He has a false smile.
Hamis a mosolya.
She gave me false hope.
Hamis reményt keltett bennem.
Her words were false.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'false' with 'fake' here, but 'fake' in this context can sound harsher or more informal.
Meaning
Not sincere or pretending feelings
Collocations
false smile
|false modesty
|false hope
Synonyms
insincere (Focuses on lack of honesty in emotions or words.)
Antonyms
sincere (Genuinely expressing one's feelings.)
Themes
emotions
|social
|communication
Definition
Not real in feelings; pretending.
Not expressing genuine feelings; insincere or hypocritical.
Grammar
Dictionary form
false
IPA
GB/fˈɔls/
US/fˈɔls/
Syllables & stress
false (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (false)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: false
Word family
Expressions
false sense of security
1/fˈɔls sˈɛns əv sɪkjˈʊɹɪti/
fixed phrase
Mistaken belief of safety
When someone feels safe but is actually not safe.
Examples
- The quiet streets gave her a false sense of security.
- Wearing that device might give you a false sense of security.
false start
1/fˈɔls stˈɑɹt/
fixed phrase
Invalid early beginning
When someone starts doing something too early, especially in sports or competitions.
Examples
- The runner was disqualified for a false start.
- Our project had a false start, but we quickly got back on track.
false alarm
1/fˈɔls əlˈɑɹm/
fixed phrase
Untrue warning or alert
A warning or call for help that turns out not to be real.
Examples
- We evacuated the building, but it was a false alarm.
- The smoke turned out to be from a barbecue—it was a false alarm.
- The smoke detector went off, but it was just a false alarm.
- We evacuated for nothing; it was a false alarm.