WordGarden.iofalsely
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /fˈɒlsli/
US
- /ˈfɔlsli/
Meanings
Adverb
in an untrue or misleading way, especially in what is said or claimed
incorrectly or mistakenly, especially in belief or judgment
Beyond the definition
To do something falsely means to do it in a way that is not true, not correct, or not based on the facts. Picture a rumor moving through a town: one person may falsely say a neighbor stole something, even though the neighbor did nothing wrong. The word is often used for claims, accusations, reports, or appearances that turn out to be untrue. Sometimes there is an intent to mislead, but not always; a person can also speak falsely because they are confused, mistaken, or badly informed.
The adverb "falsely" describes something said, believed, shown, or reported in a way that is not true. Imagine a reporter hearing an early tip about a fire and rushing to print the name of the person thought to have caused it. If later evidence shows that person had nothing to do with it, the reporter falsely identified them. The word points to a gap between what is claimed and what the facts really are.
The word appears often in legal and formal writing. People may be falsely accused of a crime, falsely linked to a scandal, or falsely identified as the person seen at a scene. In these cases, the focus is not only on error but on the harm caused when something untrue is treated as fact. A person can be falsely imprisoned, falsely blamed, or falsely described in a public statement.
It also fits ordinary life. An ad may falsely promise results it cannot deliver. A child may falsely deny breaking a vase. A friend may be falsely told that a party starts at six when it really starts at eight. In some of these cases the speaker is lying on purpose; in others, the speaker is simply wrong. That difference matters. Unlike words that always suggest deliberate dishonesty, "falsely" can cover both intentional lies and honest mistakes, as long as the result is the same: something untrue is presented as if it were true.
Examples
- 1
Accusation
She was falsely accused of cheating on the exam.
- Patternaccuse someone of + wrongdoing
say they did something wrong
- 2
News reports
Several news sites falsely reported that the actor had died.
- 3
Mistaken identity
At the airport, he was falsely identified as another passenger with a similar name.
- Patternidentify someone as + person
say or decide that they are that person
- 4
Assumptions
Many people falsely assume that working longer hours always means getting more done.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Advertising
The product was falsely advertised as completely safe for children.
- Patternadvertise something as + quality
describe it in advertising as having that quality
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- deceptively
- mistakenly
- spuriously
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- falsely accused
- falsely claim
- falsely attributed
- falsely believe
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- falselyadverb