: a lie about a small or unimportant matter that someone tells to avoid hurting another person He told a (little) white lie as his excuse for missing the party.

What does white lie mean?

M-W defines “white lie” as “a lie about a small or unimportant matter that someone tells to avoid hurting another person.” That's similar to the American Heritage definition: “An often trivial, diplomatic or well-intentioned untruth.”

What is a white lie example?

Telling your friend that you like their new haircut, when you really don't, is an example of a white lie. Sometimes it is better to tell a white lie than to hurt someone's feelings. ... Sometime, even a white lie may disturb your married life. Sara's white lie led an innocent young man to his death.