: 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
But Trump’s claims, as reports have already pointed out, are bogus.
—
Liam Reilly, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
This attack uses bogus codes that link accounts to devices operated by the hackers who send them.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
The executor even accused Daniel of framing Brent for a bogus plot to commit mass murder at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York; Brent was detained by police in a holding cell for nearly 24 hours until being released due to lack of evidence.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 12 Feb. 2025
Beyond being an annoyance, about 56 million people in 2023 reported losing money because of bogus calls and texts.
—Denver Post, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bogus
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Liam Reilly, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
This attack uses bogus codes that link accounts to devices operated by the hackers who send them.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
The executor even accused Daniel of framing Brent for a bogus plot to commit mass murder at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York; Brent was detained by police in a holding cell for nearly 24 hours until being released due to lack of evidence.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 12 Feb. 2025
Beyond being an annoyance, about 56 million people in 2023 reported losing money because of bogus calls and texts.
—Denver Post, Boston Herald, 8 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 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bogus
adjective
bo·gus
ˈbō-gəs 
: not genuine : counterfeit, sham
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