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false friend

Noun CEFR B2
ˌfɒls ˈfɹɛnd

Definitions

  1. A word in a language that bears a deceptive resemblance to a word in another language but in fact has a different meaning.
  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see false, friend.

Equivalents

13 more languages

Examples

“A word and its false friend may well be etymologically related: in such cases semantic shifts have⟳ made them drift apart.”

CEFR level

B2
Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.
See all B2 English words →

See also

false fruit false galena false gavial false grip false harmonic false hellebore

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