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Meaning & use

false identity

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌfɔːls aɪˈdentəti/
US/ˌfɔːls aɪˈdentəti/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A name, document, or set of personal details that is not real and is used to hide who someone really is.

    Grammar: Countable; use 'a' or 'the' before it, and 'under' when someone is using one: 'under a false identity'.

    Patterns

    • a false identity
    • under a false identity
    • use a false identity
    • create a false identity

    The spy traveled for years under a false identity.

    She was arrested for using a false identity to open a bank account.

    The police discovered that the man had been living with a false identity since 2015.

  2. noununcountable

    The state or situation of pretending to be a different person, often to commit a crime or avoid detection.

    Grammar: Uncountable when talking about the general practice or concept; no article is used: 'false identity is a serious offense'.

    Patterns

    • false identity is a crime
    • accused of false identity
    • charge someone with false identity

    False identity is a serious crime in most countries.

    He was charged with false identity after presenting a forged passport.

    The gang used false identity to buy cars and resell them.

Common combinations

under a false identity
The fugitive lived under a false identity for a decade.
use a false identity
She tried to use a false identity to get a loan.
false identity documents
Customs officers found false identity documents in his luggage.
assume a false identity
The criminal assumed a false identity to avoid capture.

Synonyms and how they differ

alias
An alias is a false name used by one person, while a false identity often includes documents and background details.
cover
A cover is a false identity or story used to hide secret activities, especially in spying; it is less common in everyday language.

Opposites

real identitytrue identity

Word family

identity theft noun
The crime of using someone else's personal information to get money or goods.
identity fraud noun
The illegal use of another person's identity to gain money or benefits.

Commonly confused: false identity or false identification?

false identity vs false identification

False identification usually means a fake ID card or document, while false identity can mean the whole invented persona, including name and history.

Practice

The man was found living under a ______ identity in a small town.

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