: not genuine : counterfeit, sham
a bogus claim
The evidence was completely bogus.
bogusly
adverb
bogusness
noun
Did you know?
Bogus Has a Long History
In the early 19th century, a "bogus" was a machine used to make counterfeit coins. No one knows for sure how this coin-copying contraption got its name, but before long bogus became a name for funny money or for a fraudulent imitation of any kind. The more common "phony" adjective followed.
Examples of bogus in a Sentence
It was just a bogus claim.
The evidence was completely bogus.
Recent Examples on the Web
Meanwhile, President Trump’s nominee to head the C.D.C. is David Weldon, a physician and a former Republican U.S. congressman from Florida who, like Kennedy, has promoted the bogus claim that vaccines cause autism.
—
Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025
Sheriff’s deputies are supposed to examine each video before fines are assessed, but a review of videos by Herald/Tributary journalists suggests there are plenty of bogus violations the deputies aren’t weeding out.
—Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
Spotting bogus students, FAFSA fraud The Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General said in September 2024 that schools can help spot student aid fraud rings.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
Chavez previously ran a ketamine clinic and allegedly submitted a bogus prescription in the name of a former patient to secure the drug.
—Tracy Wright, Fox News, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bogus
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Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025
Sheriff’s deputies are supposed to examine each video before fines are assessed, but a review of videos by Herald/Tributary journalists suggests there are plenty of bogus violations the deputies aren’t weeding out.
—Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
Spotting bogus students, FAFSA fraud The Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General said in September 2024 that schools can help spot student aid fraud rings.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
Chavez previously ran a ketamine clinic and allegedly submitted a bogus prescription in the name of a former patient to secure the drug.
—Tracy Wright, Fox News, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bogus
Cite this Entry
“Bogus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bogus. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bogus
adjective
bo·gus
ˈbō-gəs 
: not genuine : counterfeit, sham
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