false
gb/fˈɔls/ us/fˈɔls/
A2
English
~ 2600
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Not true or correct
Not true; not based on facts.
Usage pattern:
[something] is false
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.
Synonyms
untrue (A direct synonym, often used interchangeably in most contexts.)
Antonyms
true (Direct opposite in terms of factual correctness.)
Collocations
false statement
|false claim
|false information
|false report
Themes
communication
|logic
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The report turned out to be false.
- She denied making the false accusation.
- Many people believed the false story.
Learner examples
- The answer is false.
- That news is false.
- He told a false story.
adjective
B1
property
2
Not genuine or real
Not real; made to look like something real.
Usage pattern:
false [object]
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'wrong' instead of 'false' when describing objects. 'Wrong' refers to correctness, not authenticity.
Synonyms
fake (Common in informal speech; can sound less formal than 'false'.)
Antonyms
genuine (Refers to something that is real and authentic.)
Collocations
false teeth
|false passport
|false identity
Themes
objects
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- He was traveling on a false passport.
- She wore false eyelashes to the party.
- The suspect gave a false name to the police.
Learner examples
- He has false teeth.
- She used a false name.
- That man has a false passport.
adjective
B2
property
3
Not sincere or pretending feelings
Not real in feelings; pretending.
Usage pattern:
false [emotion/appearance]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'false' with 'fake' here, but 'fake' in this context can sound harsher or more informal.
Synonyms
insincere (Focuses on lack of honesty in emotions or words.)
Antonyms
sincere (Genuinely expressing one's feelings.)
Collocations
false smile
|false modesty
|false hope
Themes
emotions
|social
|communication
Examples
- He greeted me with a false smile.
- Her humility seemed false to everyone.
- They gave us false hope about the outcome.
Learner examples
- He has a false smile.
- She gave me false hope.
- Her words were false.
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.