Word
liar
US/ˈɫaɪɝ/
UK/lˈaɪə/
Definitions
01someone who tells lies
A2 · Elementary Countable noun
n. a person who says things that they know are not true.
n. a person who intentionally utters falsehoods or deceptions.
“I don't believe anything he says because he is a known liar.”
“The witness was exposed as a liar when the prosecution presented video evidence that directly contradicted his earlier testimony.”
Pitfall
He is a lie.
He is a liar.
Use 'lie' for the false statement itself, but use 'liar' for the person who says it.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02ship cleaner
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Archaic
n. a person on a ship whose job was to clean the outside parts of the boat.
n. a swabber responsible for cleaning the exterior parts of a ship, a role historically assigned as punishment to those caught lying.
“In the old days, a sailor caught in a lie might be forced to work as the ship's liar.”
“The captain appointed the deckhand as the week's liar, tasking him with the arduous cleaning of the hull as penance for his deceit.”
Usage
This term is found in historical maritime contexts and is no longer used in modern sailing.
Synonyms
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English lier, liere, lyere, liȝer, lieȝer, legher, from Old English lēgere, lēogere (“liar, false witness, hypocrite”), from Proto-West Germanic leugārī, from Proto-Germanic leugārijaz (“liar”), from leuganą (“to lie”) + -ārijaz, equivalent to lie + -ar. More at lie.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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