apocryphal

[ uh-pok-ruh-fuhl ]

adjective

1. of doubtful authorship or authenticity.
2. Ecclesiastical.
   1. (initial capital letter) of or relating to the Apocrypha.
   2. of doubtful sanction; uncanonical.
3. false; spurious:

   He told an apocryphal story about the sword, but the truth was later revealed.

apocryphal

/ əˈpɒkrɪfəl /

adjective

1. of questionable authenticity
2. sometimes capital of or like the Apocrypha
3. untrue; counterfeit

Derived Forms

• aˈpocryphally, adverb

Other Words From

• a·pocry·phal·ly adverb
• a·pocry·phal·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of apocryphal¹

First recorded in 1580–90; apocryph(a) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

One apocryphal story from the political correctness panic that has resurfaced for the cancel culture panic is that they don't teach Shakespeare in college anymore.

From Salon

When I first encountered this quote in a posting on X, I found it so overdetermined that I thought it must be apocryphal.

From Los Angeles Times

Some see this as a new version of the apocryphal story of Nero fiddling while Rome burns.

From Los Angeles Times

Even though there’s no proof that Díaz actually said the apocryphal quote, I get why it has lingered: It’s a great insult on multiple levels.

From Los Angeles Times

There is an apocryphal story that as the book landed on desks around Hollywood, everyone flipped to the index to see what Phillips had written about them.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fictitious
• inaccurate
• mythical
• unsubstantiated
• untrue