false friend

[ fawls frend ]

noun

, Linguistics.

1. a word in one language that is similar in form or sound to a word in another language but has a different meaning and may or may not be etymologically related: for example, English gift “present” and German Gift “poison” are false friends.

false friend

noun

1. a word or expression in one language that, because it resembles one in another language, is often wrongly taken to have the same meaning, for example, the French agenda which means diary , not agenda

Confusables Note

See false cognate.

Word History and Origins

Origin of false friend¹

First recorded in 1930–35; patterned after French faux ami in same sense

Example Sentences

Indeed, Obama said he was telling Israelis these things because he is a good friend and not a false friend.

From The Daily Beast

The man is my deadly enemy, and, as you know now at last, but a false friend to you!

From Project Gutenberg

Nothing but the story of a faithless love and a false friend and the loss of trust in all things human or divine.

From Project Gutenberg

Dick (in the tones of a man whose whole life has been blighted by the machinations of a false friend).

From Project Gutenberg

Alderman Wood, however, we are sorry to say, was not the only false friend her majesty had to lament.

From Project Gutenberg

So farewell, false friend, till such near time as your ehrwrdig person decorate our hearth at Mrs. Hanks's in Harvard St.

From Project Gutenberg