false-positive

[ fawls-poz-i-tiv ]
/ ˈfɔlsˈpɒz ɪ tɪv /

noun Also false positive.

Medicine/Medical.
  1. a test result that is incorrect because the test indicated a condition or finding that does not exist: a false-positive for syphilis.
  2. a person who receives this test result.
  1. any screening test result that incorrectly detected or classified a person or thing: A false-positive at the airport could cause you to miss your flight.
  2. a person or thing identified by such a test.

adjective

pertaining to or being a false-positive: The test has a false-positive rate of 4%.
Compare false-negative.

Words nearby false-positive

false-card, false-hearted, false-memory syndrome, false-negative, false-negative reaction, false-positive, false-positive reaction, false-start, falsehood, falsetto, falsework

British Dictionary definitions for false positive

false positive

noun

a result in a medical test that wrongly indicates the presence of the condition being tested for
a person from whom such a result is obtained

Medical definitions for false positive

false positive

n.

A positive test result in a subject that does not possess the attribute for which the test is being conducted.

Other words from false positive

false′-pos•i•tive adj.