WordGarden.iountrue
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ʌntrˈuː/
US
- /ənˈtru/
Meanings
Adjective
not in accordance with fact; false
disloyal or unfaithful to a person, promise, or ideal
Beyond the definition
Something untrue does not match the facts. It is often used for statements, claims, stories, or beliefs that turn out to be wrong. If someone says you did something and it did not happen, you can say the claim is untrue. The word does not always suggest a deliberate lie; sometimes a person believes something, but it later turns out to be untrue. A forecast that promised sunshine may prove untrue when a storm rolls in. In tone, it often sounds a little more formal and gentle than simply saying "false."
The word "untrue" describes something that does not match reality or the facts. It can refer to a statement, belief, rumor, excuse, or report that turns out to be wrong. Sometimes the speaker knows it is wrong and says it anyway; other times, they believe it and later discover that it is untrue. Compared with "false," the word "untrue" can sound a little softer or more personal, especially when people are talking about claims, accusations, and stories.
You might say a rumor is untrue, meaning it is not based on facts and should not be believed. A politician might call an accusation untrue to reject it in public. A witness statement may seem believable at first and then prove untrue when new evidence appears. In everyday English, this is the main use of the word: something has been said, believed, or reported, but it is not actually so.
There is also a less common use connected with loyalty. If a person is untrue to a partner, a friend, or a promise, they are not faithful or do not stay loyal. That meaning appears more in literary or formal writing than in everyday conversation. Even so, the central idea stays the same: there is a break between what should be trusted and what is really true.
Examples
- 1
Police statement
The story he told the police was completely untrue.
- 2
Public denial
It is simply untrue that the company plans to close the factory.
- Patternit is untrue that + claim
used to strongly deny the claim
- 3
Accusations
Several of the accusations turned out to be untrue.
- 4
Insincere apology
Her apology sounded polite, but it rang untrue.
- Phrasering untrue
seem false or not sincere
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Romantic fidelity
He had been untrue to his wife for years.
- Patternuntrue to + person
not faithful in a romantic relationship
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- factually untrue
- patently untrue
- simply untrue
- prove untrue
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- untrueadjective