Definition
Of a remark or narrative, an indication (as discerned by the listener or reader) of untruth, insincerity, or inconsistency.
Of a non-verbal display or presentation, an indication of incongruity or inappropriateness.
In Context
- "[H]is words were grave, his manner was earnest, and his speech came from the fulness of his heart. If there had been a false note, a false look, Harry would have detected both, […]"
- "The screenplay . . . even suggests that this contributed to the false note on which The African Queen actually ends."
- "Shreve creates a little world, peoples it with believable characters, and puts them through agonizing and joyful moments without a false note or a dissonant figure of speech."
- "The only false note in an otherwise classic and elegant collection was the gratuitous flash of black fishnet stockings and suspenders under otherwise unremarkable paisley and floral shirts."