Definition of “false” - English Dictionary

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“false” in English

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uk /fɒls/ us /fɑːls/

B2 not real, but made to look or seem real:

UK Modern office buildings have false floors, under which computer and phone wires can be laid.

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B1 disapproving not true, but made to seem true in order to deceive people:

She was charged with giving false evidence in court.

When she was stopped by the police for speeding, she gave them a false name and address.

He assumed a false identity (= pretended he was someone else) in order to escape from the police.

under false pretences disapproving

› If you do something under false pretences, you lie about who you are, what you are doing, or what you intend to do, in order to get something:

He was deported for entering the country under false pretences.

If you're not going to offer me a job, then you've brought me here under false pretences (= you have deceived me in order to make me come here).

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The politician was awarded £50 000 damages over false allegations made by the newspaper.
The two men allege that the police forced them to make false confessions.
His accusations were false, but they served to besmirch her reputation.
Their promises lulled us into a false sense of security.
The government's claim that it would reduce taxes proved false.

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B1 not correct:

"Three plus three is seven. True or false?" "False."

The news report about the explosion turned out to be false.

You'll get a false impression/idea of the town if you only visit the university.

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It is an illogical statement, because if one part is true, then the other must be false.
Your actions are based on some false presuppositions.
That theory was proved false.
My fears about the job turned out to be false.
Teams will lose two points for any false answers.