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Definition of 'apocryphal'

Word Frequency

apocryphal

(əpɒkrɪfəl )
adjective
An apocryphal story is one which is probably not true or did not happen, but which may give a true picture of someone or something.
This may well be an apocryphal story.
There are various other versions of this -- probably apocryphal -- story.
Synonyms: dubious, legendary, doubtful, questionable   More Synonyms of apocryphal
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency

apocryphal in British

(əˈpɒkrɪfəl )
adjective
1. 
of questionable authenticity
2. (sometimes capital)
of or like the Apocrypha
3. 
untrue; counterfeit
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
apocryphally (aˈpocryphally)
adverb
Word Frequency

apocryphal in American

(əˈpɑkrəfəl ; əpäˈkrəfəl)
adjective
1. 
of doubtful authorship or authenticity
2. 
not genuine; spurious; counterfeit
3.  [A-]
of or like the Apocrypha
SIMILAR WORDS:  ficˈtitious
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

Example sentences containing 'apocryphal'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
`I mean, I've heard a story, though I wasn't sure how apocryphal it was. Anthony Masters CASCADES - THE DAY OF THE DEAD (2001)A very obscure one, though - and again referred to only cryptically, even in the more apocryphal works of the time. Pritchard, John NIGHT SISTERS (2001)Then, the day he decided to pull out -- that was probably apocryphal, but when his money was just about gone -- suddenly he struck lucky. Innes, Hammond HIGH STAND (2001)

Trends of 'apocryphal'

Used Occasionally. apocryphal is one of the 30000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Nearby words of 'apocryphal'

  • apocopic
  • apocrine
  • Apocrypha
  • apocryphal
  • Apocryphal Gospels
  • apocryphalness
  • apocryphon

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'A'

Related Terms of 'apocryphal'

  • Apocryphal Gospels

Source

Definition of apocryphal from the Collins English Dictionary

The present simple tense

Typical forms of this tense are as in: I know her. He know s her. The present simple tense of do is used as the supporting auxiliary when you want to: ask a question, Do I know you? Does sh...
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Scrabble score for 'apocryphal': 22
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