liar

li-ar · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A person who tells lies; someone who makes false statements knowingly.

  2. 2.

    A person habitually given to lying.

Forms

plural: liars

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    compulsive liar — someone who lies habitually, often without clear reason
  • •
    pathological liar — a person with a psychological tendency to lie constantly
  • •
    liar, liar, pants on fire — children's rhyme used to accuse someone of lying

Related words

Antonyms: honest person, truthteller
See also: deceive, lie, lying, truth
Synonyms: deceiver, fabricator, fibber, prevaricator

Etymology

From Old English leogere ("liar"), from leogan ("to lie, tell falsehoods"). Related to German Lugner and Dutch leugenaar.