Untrue

/ʌnˈtruː/

adjectiveBeginner📊CommonLiterature
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

Not conforming to facts or reality; false.

/ʌnˈtruː/

adjectivenegativeBeginner
Literature

Not in accordance with the facts; false.

The politician's claims were proven to be untrue.

💡 Simply: Imagine your friend tells you they saw a flying unicorn. If unicorns don't fly, their story is untrue. Untrue means not real or correct.

👶 For kids: When something is untrue, it's not real or not correct, like a story about a monster living under your bed when there isn't one.

More Examples

2

It is untrue that I ever said those words.

3

She insisted that the rumors circulating were untrue.

4

The allegations against him were found to be untrue.

How It's Used

Journalism

"The report contained untrue statements."

Everyday Conversation

"Her claim about winning the lottery turned out to be untrue."

2

Not faithful; disloyal; treacherous.

/ʌnˈtruː/

adjectivenegativemedium
General

Disloyal, unfaithful.

Her untrue actions caused irreparable damage to their relationship.

💡 Simply: If your best friend promises to keep your secret but tells someone else, they're being untrue. It means they're not loyal or keeping their word.

👶 For kids: When someone is untrue, it means they're not being a good friend or not keeping their promises, like when they tell your secret.

More Examples

2

He was accused of being untrue to his vows.

3

She felt deeply hurt by his untrue behavior.

4

An untrue heart is easily swayed.

How It's Used

Literature

"He felt betrayed by his untrue friend."

Relationships

"She was afraid her husband had been untrue to her."

Tip:If someone is UNTRUE to you, they're not being loyal or faithful.

Idioms & expressions

Unspeakable Untruths

Statements that are deliberately and extremely dishonest and often cruel.

"The politician was accused of spreading unspeakable untruths about his opponent."

From Middle English *untrewe*, from Old English *untreowe* ('not faithful, false'), from *un-* ('not') + *treowe* ('true').

Used in medieval literature to describe false oaths and disloyal characters.

Memory tip

Think of a story that isn't TRUE. That story is UNTRUE.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"Not true or faithful"

untrue statementuntrue storyuntrue accusationsuntrue to

Common misspellings

untrueun truuntru

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written