| English Dictionary |
SPURIOUS
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| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does spurious mean?
• SPURIOUS (adjective)
The adjective SPURIOUS has 4 senses:
1. ostensibly valid, but not actually valid
2. plausible but false
3. born out of wedlock
4. false or fake; not what it appears to be
Familiarity information: SPURIOUS used as an adjective is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Ostensibly valid, but not actually valid
Context example:
a spurious argument
Similar:
invalid (having no cogency or legal force)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Plausible but false
Synonyms:
specious; spurious
Context example:
spurious inferences
Similar:
false (not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality)
Derivation:
spuriousness (state of lacking genuineness)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Born out of wedlock
Synonyms:
bastardly; misbegot; misbegotten; spurious
Context example:
the dominions of both rulers passed away to their spurious or doubtful offspring
Similar:
illegitimate (of marriages and offspring; not recognized as lawful)
Sense 4
Meaning:
False or fake; not what it appears to be
Synonyms:
inauthentic; spurious; unauthentic
Context example:
a spurious work of art
Similar:
counterfeit; imitative (not genuine; imitating something superior)
Derivation:
spuriousness (state of lacking genuineness)
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