Word
fallacy
Phoneticsfal·la·cy, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfæɫəsi/
UK/fˈæləsi/
Definitions
01a mistaken belief
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Academic
n. an idea that many people believe is true, but is actually false.
n. a widely held but false belief or misconception.
“It is a common fallacy that eating carrots will give you perfect night vision.”
“The documentary aims to expose the fallacy that economic growth can continue indefinitely without environmental consequences.”
Usage
Often used with the adjective 'common' or 'popular'.
Synonyms
02faulty reasoning
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Academic · Technical
n. a mistake in an argument that makes the conclusion wrong.
n. a failure in reasoning which renders an argument invalid; a specious or deceptive argument.
“The lawyer pointed out the fallacy in the witness's logic.”
“His entire thesis rests on a logical fallacy, assuming that because two events happened together, one must have caused the other.”
Usage
Frequently appears in the phrase 'logical fallacy'.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“A short warning that an argument may contain a logical fallacy helps people evaluate information more critically.” “Using a logical fallacy doesn't necessarily mean someone is wrong.” “The initial flaw stems from what might be termed the “post Trump, therefore because of Trump” fallacy.” “Simply put, this fallacy asserts that 'I haven’t experienced negative consequencesas far I can), so must be acceptable for everyone else.” Etymology
From Middle English fallaci, fallace, fallas, from Old French fallace, from Latin fallācia (“deception, deceit”), from fallāx (“deceptive, deceitful”), from fallere (“to deceive”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
In Literature
Cover shown under fair use for identification and commentary.
The Freudian Fallacy · 1983-01-01 · Biography
- Author:
- Elizabeth M. Thornton
In 1983 the medical historian Elizabeth M. Thornton argued in this book, first published in the UK as Freud and Cocaine, that Sigmund Freud became a cocaine addict and that his theories grew out of his drug use. The title points to a false belief about where Freud's ideas came from. Historians criticised the book, but critics of psychoanalysis have praised it.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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