false friend

[ fawls-frend ]

/ ˈfɔls ˈfrɛnd /

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noun Linguistics.

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.

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Origin of false friend

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

words often confused with false friend

See false cognate.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH false friend

false cognate, false friend (see confusables note at false cognate)

Words nearby false friend

false diverticulum, false dragonhead, false equivalence, false face, false flag, false friend, false front, false fruit, false-hearted, false hellebore, false hematuria

How to use false friend in a sentence

In an email exchange a friend said many had repeated this same succinct review but they could never elaborate.
‘Empire’ Review: Hip-Hop Musical Chairs with an Insane Soap Opera Twist|Judnick Mayard|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The two strengthened ties over the years and now Krauss considers Epstein a “close” and “considerate” friend.
Sleazy Billionaire’s Double Life Featured Beach Parties With Stephen Hawking|M.L. Nestel|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
What matters is being honest, humble, and a faithful and loyal friend, father and member of your community.
Abramoff’s Advice for Virginia’s New Jailhouse Guv|Tim Mak, Jackie Kucinich|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Detectives with a fugitive task force caught up with Polanco and a friend on a Bronx street in the early afternoon.
Shot Down During the NYPD Slowdown|Michael Daly|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST

The gentleman was listed as Orthodox and kosher, which is way too religious for my friend whose JSwipe account I was test-driving.
My Week on Jewish Tinder|Emily Shire|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Some weeks after, the creditor chanced to be in Boston, and in walking up Tremont street, encountered his enterprising friend.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
The blood that accused his friend in his heart, rushed to his face, when he repeated what had been told him.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
It is then we make him our friend, which sets us above the envy and contempt of wicked men.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe
Ripperda accompanied this unexpected refusal, with a laboured epistle to his imperial friend.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
A friend and companion meeting together in season, but above them both is a wife with her husband.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various

British Dictionary definitions for false friend

false friend

noun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012