What does "fallacy" mean?
Deceptive or false appearance; that which misleads the eye or the mind.
Fallacy
/ˈfæl.ə.si/ noun
noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Deceptive or false appearance; that which misleads the eye or the mind.
- Grammar: fallacy is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: false belief, aberrancy, aberration, absurdity.
- Useful contrasts: logical validity, sound logics, sound reasoning.
- Usage evidence: That's not a valid argument. It's a logical fallacy.
How to use "fallacy"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "fallacy" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "fallacy" in a final draft.
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Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "fallacy" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Deceptive or false appearance; that which misleads the eye or the mind.
"Mr Jones expressed great gratitude to the lady for the kind intentions towards him which she had expressed, and indeed testified, by this proposal; but, besides intimating some diffidence of success from the lady’s knowledge of his love to her niece, which had not been her case in regard to Mr Fitzpatrick, he said, he was afraid Miss Western would never agree to an imposition of this kind, as well from her utter detestation of all fallacy as from her avowed duty to her aunt."
- 2 a misconception resulting from incorrect reasoning wordnet
- 3 An argument, or apparent argument, which professes to be decisive of the matter at issue, while in reality it is not; a specious argument.
"Baldridge also showed the "one molecule of blood," usually held to be the stimulus for attracting sharks, to be another common fallacy, since a molecule of blood does not exist."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
logical validitysound logicssound reasoningargue for
Example
"That's not a valid argument. It's a logical fallacy."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "fallacy"?
Common synonyms include: false belief, aberrancy, aberration, absurdity, absurdity, albigensianism.
How do you use "fallacy" in a sentence?
That's not a valid argument. It's a logical fallacy.
How do you pronounce "fallacy"?
Pronounced /ˈfæl.ə.si/.
Etymology
From Middle English fallaci, fallace, fallas, from Old French fallace, from Latin fallācia (“deception, deceit”), from fallāx (“deceptive, deceitful”), from fallere (“to deceive”).