Meaning of false In English

• 0 not real, but made to look or seem real:

  • false eyelashes/teeth

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

• 1 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.

  • 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).

• 2 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.

• 3 not sincere or expressing real emotions:

  • a false smile/laugh

  • I didn't like her - she seemed false.

• 4 A false friend is not loyal or cannot be trusted.

• 5 (of things) not real, but made to look real, or (of information) not true but made to seem true in order to deceive:

  • Haban used false identification to enter France.

  • The company presented clients with documents containing false information.

• 6 not correct or true:

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

• 7 (of people or their manner) dishonest or not sincere:

  • “I think of myself as great,” said Tyler, abandoning false modesty.

• 8 not true or correct:

  • It is an offense to give false information on your application form.

• 9 made to look real, especially in order to deceive people:

  • The wanted man is known to be travelling under an assumed name and with a false passport.

• 10 based on wrong information or a wrong idea about someone or something:

  • Many immigrant workers arrive with a false impression of western countries.

• 11 if you do or get something by or under false pretences, you do or get it dishonestly by telling lies:

  • The official was convicted of obtaining property by false pretences.

  • Two executives had gained access to their rival's business plan under false pretences.