false

Everyday

1. False means not true or not correct. tree →
2. False means not real; made to look like something else, like false teeth. tree →
3. False means not honest or not loyal, like a false friend. tree →

In the lessons

In school, true-or-false questions ask you to decide if a statement is right; in maths, «3 + 4 = 8» is false. In science, testing ideas shows which ones are false. In everyday life and online safety, false information and false rumours spread easily; check facts with trusted sources. «A false alarm» means an alarm that rang when there was no danger — but always leave the building when a fire alarm rings. In stories, false friends pretend to like you.

Examples

• True or false: the Sun is a star? (True.) tree →
• «10 is an odd number» is false. tree →
• Don't spread false rumours. tree →
• Grandpa has false teeth. tree →
• It was a false alarm; there was no fire. tree →
• The thief gave a false name. tree →
• Always treat a fire alarm as real, even if it might be false. tree →
• A false tale often betrays itself. tree →

Note

Not compared with -er (say «more false» rarely). Opposite «true». «Falsely» = in a false way. «False friends» also means words in two languages that look alike but mean different things. In logic and maths, every statement is either true or false.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: "False witness" is forbidden in the Ten Commandments. Tradition treats honest speech and testimony as basic to justice. In the primary lessons: In school, true-or-false questions ask you to decide if a statement is right; in maths, «3 + 4 = 8» is false. In science, testing ideas shows which ones are false. In everyday life and online safety, false information and false rumours spread easily; check facts with trusted sources. «A false alarm» means an alarm that rang when there was no danger — but always leave the building when a fire alarm rings. In stories, false friends pretend to like you.

Examples

• Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. (Torah EXO.20.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour. (Torah DEU.5.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou shalt not utter a false report; put not thy hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. (Torah EXO.23.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• From Thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. (Writings PSA.119.104, JPS 1917) tree →
• He that breatheth forth truth uttereth righteousness; but a false witness deceit. (Writings PRO.12.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• A faithful witness will not lie; but a false witness breatheth forth lies. (Writings PRO.14.5, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Not compared with -er (say «more false» rarely). Opposite «true». «Falsely» = in a false way. «False friends» also means words in two languages that look alike but mean different things. In logic and maths, every statement is either true or false.