untruth
C1Formal, often used in legal, journalistic, or serious discourse.
Definition
Meaning
A statement that is not true; a falsehood or lie.
Can refer to a more general state of falseness or deception, often in a more formal or abstract sense than a direct lie.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies an intentional falsehood with moral or serious consequences. In legal contexts, it's a more formal term for a lie. It can be used as a countable noun (e.g., 'several untruths') or uncountably for the concept of falsehood.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in definition or usage. Slightly more common in UK formal writing.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in both variants, with a connotation of moral gravity.
Frequency
Low-frequency word in everyday speech for both; 'lie' or 'falsehood' is more common.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to tell an untruthto be caught in an untruthto expose an untruthto correct an untruthVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a tissue of untruths”
- “economical with the truth (euphemism for untruthful)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in official reports or investigations to describe misleading statements, e.g., 'The audit revealed several untruths in the financial declaration.'
Academic
Used in philosophy, ethics, or media studies to discuss concepts of truth and falsehood.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; more likely used humorously or in a deliberately formal tone.
Technical
Used in legal contexts as a formal alternative to 'lie', especially in libel or perjury cases.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The claim was utterly untruth. (incorrect - use 'untrue')
- N/A
American English
- That's an untruth statement. (incorrect - use 'untrue')
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- It is wrong to tell an untruth.
- He was upset when he discovered the untruth.
- The politician was accused of spreading untruths about his opponent.
- Her story contained a significant untruth which undermined her credibility.
- The biography was criticised for being a web of half-truths and outright untruths.
- In court, he was found to have knowingly propagated a gross untruth.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
UNTRUE + TH. Think of something that is 'untrue' given a noun form (-th), like 'warm' becomes 'warmth'.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRUTH IS STRAIGHT/LIGHT; UNTRUTH IS BENT/DARKNESS.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'неправда' which can mean 'injustice' as well as falsehood. 'Untruth' is strictly a false statement.
- Not a direct translation for 'ложь' in all contexts; 'lie' is often closer for a deliberate, malicious falsehood.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb (*He untruthed* – incorrect).
- Confusing it with 'untruthfulness' (the quality of being untruthful).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely synonym for 'untruth' in a formal legal context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar, but 'untruth' is more formal and can sometimes be used for less malicious or unintentional false statements, though it often implies intention like 'lie'.
No, 'untruth' is only a noun. The verb form is 'to lie' or 'to falsify'. You cannot say 'He untruthed the story'.
They are largely synonymous in formal use. 'Falsehood' can sound slightly more abstract or philosophical, while 'untruth' often refers to a specific false statement.
Yes, it is a countable noun. You can tell 'an untruth' or 'several untruths'.
Explore