bogus
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of bogus
1825–30, originally an apparatus for coining false money; perhaps akin to bogy 1
Explanation
Bogus means fake. A bogus dollar bill is counterfeit, a bogus Picasso was not painted by him, and a bogus attempt at reconciliation would come from someone who never intended to end a fight. The word bogus originated in the U.S. It was coined as a name for a machine that printed counterfeit money and later became a trademark term among California surfers. In surfer speak, "totally bogus, dude" would describe any unfortunate situation.
Vocabulary lists containing bogus
Fake It 'Til You Make It: Synonyms for "False"
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Smoke and Mirrors: The Lingo of Illusion and Deception
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "B"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Thousands of new “vocational schools” sprung up to soak up the money, many of them bogus.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 18, 2026
In addition, she said, they were "potentially harming the reputation of judges and courts whose names are falsely invoked as authors of the bogus opinions".
From Barron's • Jun. 15, 2026
Prosecutors said that she intentionally created bogus evidence that showed her company had millions of customers who didn’t actually exist.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026
Ryanair called the investigation "bogus" and insisted its family seating policy "fully complies with all relevant laws".
From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026
The guanine picture I was thrusting toward his face was almost certainly bogus.
From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
