false positive
noun
plural false positives
: a person or test result that is incorrectly classified as positive (as for the presence of a health condition) because of imperfect testing methods or procedures
A false positive—a test result indicative of disease that isn't actually present—can trigger a chain reaction of worry, further tests, and even unnecessary treatment.—Harvard Health Letter
The quarantine could be lifted early if the lab confirms that the case was a false positive.—Kathleen Moore
Perhaps more important, polygraph tests are notoriously unreliable. Scientists are understandably concerned about false positive results …—Chemical & Engineering News
—often hyphenated when used before another nounThe technology could improve a radiologist's ability to detect breast cancers and it could lower the number of false-positive results …—Laurie Tarken
compare false negative
Cite this Entry
“False positive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/false%20positive. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
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