Which type of cognate has similar origins but different meanings, spellings, and pronunciations in different languages?

The type of cognate that has similar origins but different meanings, spellings, and pronunciations in different languages is indeed referred to as a false cognate. False cognates are words that may look or sound alike across languages due to their common linguistic roots, but their meanings diverge significantly.

For instance, the English word "actual" means "real or existing," whereas the Spanish word "actual" translates to "current" or "present." This highlights how, despite their similarities, their meanings do not align. Understanding false cognates is crucial for language learners as it helps prevent misunderstandings that may arise from assuming that similar-looking words carry the same definitions.

Other types, such as partial cognates or semantic cognates, do not accurately encapsulate the uniqueness of false cognates, as they either share some degree of meaning or are related but do not diverge in the way false cognates do. Recognizing the characteristics of false cognates can significantly aid learners in navigating the complexities of language acquisition.