The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook

bogus

IPA:

Dictionary definition of bogus

Fake, counterfeit, or not genuine, often intended to deceive or mislead.
"The email from the 'bank' requesting personal information turned out to be bogus."

Detailed meaning of bogus

When we characterize something as bogus, we emphasize its lack of authenticity and its deceptive nature. It is typically used to identify objects, claims, or representations that are presented as real or legitimate but are, in fact, fraudulent or spurious. Bogus items or statements can range from counterfeit currency and fake identification documents to fraudulent schemes and deceptive advertising. This term conveys a sense of deceit and dishonesty, suggesting that the subject is designed to trick or defraud individuals. Whether it's a bogus product, a bogus claim, or a bogus story, this adjective underscores the falseness and lack of credibility associated with the subject.

Example sentences containing bogus

1. The salesman's bogus claims about the product's magical properties raised suspicions.
2. He was caught using a bogus ID to try and enter the club.
3. The counterfeit bills were so well-made that they initially appeared genuine, but they were ultimately revealed as bogus.
4. Her excuses for being late sounded utterly bogus to her boss.
5. The so-called "psychic" was exposed as a fraud with her bogus predictions.
6. The website selling designer handbags at unbelievably low prices was likely peddling bogus merchandise.

History and etymology of bogus

The adjective 'bogus' has its etymological origins in American English slang of the 19th century. Its precise etymology is somewhat uncertain, but it likely stems from the slang term 'bogus' or 'bogusman,' which was used to describe a counterfeit coin or a counterfeiter. The exact origin of this slang word remains unclear, but it may have been influenced by Irish or Celtic languages. Regardless of its exact roots, 'bogus' gradually came to describe anything that is fake, counterfeit, or not genuine, often with the intent to deceive or mislead. It has maintained this meaning over the years and has become a common term in English for identifying things that are fraudulent or spurious in nature.

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Further usage examples of bogus

1. The conspiracy theory was based on a series of bogus claims and unreliable sources.
2. The student submitted a bogus essay that was copied from the internet.
3. His alibi for the night of the crime seemed completely bogus to the detective.
4. The scam artist was known for his bogus investment schemes that promised high returns.
5. The witness's story was dismissed as bogus when it conflicted with the evidence.
6. The celebrity's endorsement of the diet pill was later revealed to be bogus.
7. The document's signatures were all deemed to be bogus by forensic experts.
8. The news article contained numerous bogus statistics and inaccuracies.
9. The caller claimed to be from the IRS, but it was a bogus tax collection scam.
10. The treasure map they found turned out to be entirely bogus, leading them on a wild goose chase.
11. The online review was filled with bogus praise from the company's employees.
12. The artist was accused of selling bogus artwork to unsuspecting buyers.
13. The promise of instant wealth through a bogus investment opportunity proved too tempting for some to resist.
14. The investigator uncovered a trail of bogus receipts in the financial records, pointing to embezzlement.