YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

fallacy

Noun

IPA /ˈfæləsi/

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Meaning in plain English

An idea that people may believe is true even though it is based on a mistake or faulty reasoning.

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Pronunciation

fallacy/ˈfæləsi/

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Follow the idea

Claim: expensive always means better
A cheaper item works just as well
The general claim is mistaken

The belief that price always proves quality is a fallacy.

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Examples in context

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It is a fallacy that expensive products are always better.
Our tutor challenged the fallacy that longer essays automatically earn higher marks.

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It is a ________ that expensive products are always better.

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fallacy — An idea that people may believe is true even though it is based on a mistake or faulty reasoning.

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An idea that people may believe is true even though it is based on a mistake or faulty reasoning.

Compare: It is a fallacy that expensive products are always better.

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Word origin

From Latin fallacia, meaning deception, related to fallere, to deceive.

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The pattern the fallacy that introduces the mistaken claim you want to discuss.

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