perjury
C1Formal, Legal
Definition
Meaning
The criminal offence of lying or making a false statement while under oath in a court of law or in a sworn legal document.
More broadly, a false statement made under oath, representing a wilful violation of one's formal promise to tell the truth. The concept can be extended metaphorically to denote any serious betrayal of a solemn promise or trust.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Perjury is a specific legal term, not a general synonym for lying. It requires a formal, sworn context (like a court, deposition, or affidavit). It is a serious criminal offence, not a simple mistake.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition. The legal procedures for charging someone differ (e.g., 'perverting the course of justice' in the UK can be a related charge).
Connotations
Equally serious in both jurisdictions.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in general media in the US due to its common occurrence in political and high-profile legal scandals.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
commit perjury (by + VERB-ING)be charged with/convicted of perjuryperjury in/on (a document/case)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Perjury trap (US legal context: a situation designed to induce a witness to lie under oath)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in legal disputes, contracts, or regulatory investigations where sworn statements are made.
Academic
Used in legal studies, criminology, and political science discussing legal ethics and accountability.
Everyday
Used when discussing court cases, political scandals, or serious accusations of dishonesty in official matters.
Technical
A precise term in criminal law; specific elements (materiality, intent, oath) must be proven for a conviction.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The witness was warned he could face imprisonment if he were to perjure himself.
- He denied vehemently that he had ever perjured himself during the enquiry.
American English
- The defendant was accused of perjuring himself before the grand jury.
- She refused to perjure herself, even under pressure from her associates.
adverb
British English
- He testified perjuriously, leading to a mistrial.
- The statement was made perjuriously and with clear intent to deceive.
American English
- The witness answered perjuriously, contradicting his earlier deposition.
- Acting perjurously in a federal investigation is a felony.
adjective
British English
- The perjured testimony was quickly discredited by documentary evidence.
- He was convicted on the basis of a perjured statement.
American English
- The case was overturned due to perjured evidence submitted by the prosecution.
- A perjured affidavit can invalidate an entire legal filing.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Lying in court is a crime called perjury.
- The judge said the man was guilty of perjury.
- The politician was accused of perjury after giving contradictory evidence under oath.
- If you commit perjury, you could be sent to prison.
- The star witness's credibility collapsed when the defence proved she had committed perjury in a previous trial.
- The investigation focused on whether the CEO had suborned perjury by instructing his staff to lie in their affidavits.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'PURGE' in court: committing perjury is like trying to PURGE the truth from the record with a lie. PERJURY = PURGE + TRUTH.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE LAW IS A SACRED SPACE / TRUTH IS A FOUNDATION. Perjury is profaning that sacred space or undermining the foundation of justice.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'клевета' (slander/defamation). Perjury is 'лжесвидетельство' or 'дача ложных показаний'. It is specifically about lying *in a formal legal proceeding*, not general public defamation.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'perjury' to mean any lie. Incorrect: 'He told a perjury about being late.' Correct: 'He committed perjury in his tax hearing.'
- Incorrect verb: 'He did a perjury.' Correct: 'He committed perjury.'
Practice
Quiz
In which situation would the term 'perjury' be MOST accurately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Perjury is a specific legal term for lying *under oath* in an official proceeding like a court trial or deposition. Everyday lying is not perjury.
It varies by jurisdiction but is typically a criminal offence punishable by fines and/or imprisonment. Sentences can be severe, especially if the perjury affects the outcome of a major case.
No. Perjury requires 'mens rea' or a guilty mind—the intent to deceive. A genuine mistake or a faulty memory does not constitute perjury.
It is the separate, often more serious, offence of persuading, inducing, or bribing another person to commit perjury.
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