bogus

adjective

bo·​gus ˈbō-gəs How to pronounce bogus (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Similarly, in 2015, Avon Products saw its stock surge by 20% after scammers filed a bogus SEC document claiming a takeover bid by a nonexistent firm. Yasin Dus, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 Results like that -50 could lead computers to churn out bogus data or shut down entirely. Zachary Loeb / Made By History, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024 Of the 1,703 cases processed, 1,300 were marked as bogus. John Frank, Axios, 13 Dec. 2024 The singer’s team called the suit a bogus and absurd publicity stunt. Deon J. Hampton, NBC News, 7 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bogus 

Word History

Etymology

obsolete argot bogus counterfeit money

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bogus was in 1825

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Dictionary Entries Near bogus

Cite this Entry

“Bogus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bogus. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

bogus

adjective
bo·​gus ˈbō-gəs How to pronounce bogus (audio)
: not genuine : counterfeit, sham

More from Merriam-Webster on bogus

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