Untrue
/ʌnˈtruː/noun
Not true; false or inaccurate.
Did you know?Unlike words with ancient mythic baggage, *untrue* is a straightforward Germanic formation—but its power comes from the same old prefix that can reverse meaning like a verbal curse.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
untrēowe
“unfaithful; disloyal; false”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*un- + *treuwaz
“negative prefix + faithful, trustworthy”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*drew- / *deru-
“to be firm, solid, true, steadfast”
Middle English
ME
untrewe
“unfaithful; dishonest; false”
Modern English
English
untrue
“not true; false”