Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
white lie
noun
/ˈwaɪt laɪ/
Definition
A harmless or trivial lie, often told to avoid hurting someone’s feelings.
Examples
- She told a white lie about liking the gift to spare his feelings.
- Sometimes a white lie is better than the truth.
- He gave her a white lie to avoid an awkward situation.
Meaning
A white lie is a small, unimportant lie that is often told to make someone feel better or to avoid causing them any unnecessary discomfort.
Synonyms
- fib
- untruth
- falsehood
- deception
- prevarication
