false

/ˈfȯls/

Middle English fals, faus, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin falsus, from past participle of fallere to deceive

adjective

  1. not genuine

  2. intentionally untrue

  3. adjusted or made so as to deceive

false documents

faithless false disloyal traitorous treacherous perfidious mean untrue to what should command one's fidelity or allegiance. faithless applies to any failure to keep a promise or pledge or any breach of allegiance or loyalty. false stresses the fact of failing to be true in any manner ranging from fickleness to cold treachery.

adverb

  1. in a false or faithless manner : treacherously

his friends played him false

noun

  1. an alarm (such as a fire or burglar alarm) that is set off needlessly

  2. something causing alarm or excitement that proves to be unfounded