Definition of 'fallacy'

Word Frequency

fallacy

(fæləsi )

Word forms: plural fallacies

variable noun [oft NOUN that]

A fallacy is an idea which many people believe to be true, but which is in fact false because it is based on incorrect information or reasoning.

It's a fallacy that the affluent give relatively more to charity than the less prosperous.

It exposes the fallacy of short-term industrial gain at long-term environmental expense.

[Also + of]

Synonyms: error, mistake, illusion, flaw More Synonyms of fallacy

Video: pronunciation of 'fallacy'

Word Frequency

fallacy in British

(ˈfæləsɪ )

noun plural -cies

an incorrect or misleading notion or opinion based on inaccurate facts or invalid reasoning

unsound or invalid reasoning

the tendency to mislead

4. logic

an error in reasoning that renders an argument logically invalid

Word origin of 'fallacy'

C15: from Latin fallācia, from fallax deceitful, from fallere to deceive

Word Frequency

fallacy in American

(ˈfæləsi ; falˈəsē)

nounWord forms: plural ˈfallacies

1. Obsolete

deception

aptness to mislead; deceptive or delusive quality

the fallacy of the senses

a false or mistaken idea, opinion, etc.; error

an error in reasoning; flaw or defect in argument

b. Logic

an argument which does not conform to the rules of logic, esp. one that appears to be sound

Word origin of 'fallacy'

ME fallace < OFr < L fallacia, deception, artifice < fallax (gen. fallacis), deceitful < fallere, to deceive: see fail

Example sentences containing 'fallacy'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

It's a fallacy to assume that burglars can't climb a wall without a ladder. Gash, Jonathan THE TARTAN RINGERS (1998)

"Have you ever heard of the logical fallacy of post hoc, ergo propter hoc? James W. Huston BALANCE OF POWER (1998)

Trends of 'fallacy'

In Common Usage. fallacy is one of the 10000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'fallacy'

British English: fallacy NOUN

A fallacy is an idea which many people believe to be true, but which is in fact false because it is based on incorrect information.

It's a fallacy that the rich give relatively more to charity than the less prosperous.

American English: fallacy
Brazilian Portuguese: falácia
Chinese: 谬见
European Spanish: error
French: illusion
German: Irrtum
Italian: convinzione errata
Japanese: 間違った考え
Korean: 잘못된 생각
European Portuguese: falácia
Spanish: falacia

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Nearby words of 'fallacy'

Related Terms of 'fallacy'

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Definition of fallacy from the Collins English Dictionary

Exclamatives

Exclamatives are used to introduce an exclamation of surprise, admiration, or a similar emotion. The exclamatives are: what , such. Exclamations introduced by one of these words consist either of: ...