lie
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
An intentionally false statement; an intentional falsehood.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
I knew he was telling a lie by his facial expression.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
A statement intended to deceive, even if literally true.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Meaning · English
Anything that misleads or disappoints.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “lie” mean?
An intentionally false statement; an intentional falsehood.
Is “lie” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.