adjective
untrue
un-TROO/ʌnˈtruː/
Not in agreement with the facts.
The drawing gives an untrue count, showing five oranges where the bowl contains three.
Etymology
The combination originally described someone who was not faithful or loyal. As true came to describe agreement with facts, untrue also came to describe statements that were false or erroneous.
In context
That is simply untrue. Something does not become a crime just because someone perceives it to be a crime. Such flagrant misinformation fuels public confusion.
More examples
- Several details in the report turn out to be untrue.
- It is untrue that all snakes are dangerous.
- She apologizes for spreading an untrue story about her neighbor.
Forms
untrue · untruer · untruest
untruth noun — A statement that does not match facts.