spurious

American  

[spyoor-ee-uhs] / ˈspyʊər i əs /

adjective

1. not genuine, authentic, or true; not from the claimed, pretended, or proper source; counterfeit.

   Synonyms:

   deceitful, meretricious, phony, feigned, mock, bogus, sham, false

   Antonyms:

   genuine

2. Biology. (of two or more parts, plants, etc.) having a similar appearance but a different structure.

3. of illegitimate birth; bastard.

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spurious British  

/ ˈspjʊərɪəs /

adjective

1. not genuine or real

2. (of a plant part or organ) having the appearance of another part but differing from it in origin, development, or function; false

   a spurious fruit

3. (of radiation) produced at an undesired frequency by a transmitter, causing interference, etc

4. rare illegitimate

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Other Word Forms

• nonspurious adjective
• nonspuriously adverb
• nonspuriousness noun
• spuriously adverb
• spuriousness noun
• unspurious adjective
• unspuriously adverb
• unspuriousness noun

Etymology

Origin of spurious

1590–1600; < Latin spurius bastard, perhaps < Etruscan; -ous

Compare meaning

How does spurious compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• specious vs. spurious

Example Sentences

The Home Office said it was "reviewing the law to end spurious legal challenges which delay deportations".

From BBC

There are fears of spurious medicines flooding the market.

From BBC

Brown considered the allegation spurious, and said it had no foundation in reality.

From BBC

The reports proved spurious, but Gordon still saw an emotional truth.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s not a spurious conclusion: Census data shows that the percentage of women aged 30–44 with no children is higher than it’s been since 1960.

From Salon

Related Words

• bogus
• false
• phony
• specious