bogus
4 synonyms and 2 antonyms for bogus, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Fake or counterfeit; not genuine.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
phoney
phony
Antonyms
How to use bogus
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
bogus claim
bogus excuse
totally bogus
Etymology
First recorded in 19th-century America as underworld slang for a device used to make counterfeit coins, later broadening to mean anything fake or of poor quality.
Full origin of bogus →Frequently asked questions
What does “bogus” mean?
The word “bogus” means fake or counterfeit; not genuine. In plain terms, fake, not real, or (informally) just plain unfair or lame.
How do you pronounce “bogus”?
“Bogus” is pronounced BOH-guhs (/ˈboʊ̯ɡəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “bogus” in a sentence?
Here is “bogus” used in a sentence: “The company was selling bogus designer handbags.”
What part of speech is “bogus”?
“Bogus” is an adjective.
Where does the word “bogus” come from?
The word “bogus” dates back to around 1800. First recorded in 19th-century America as underworld slang for a device used to make counterfeit coins, later broadening to mean anything fake or of poor quality.
Is “bogus” a common word?
“Bogus” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “bogus” have?
“Bogus” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: fake or counterfeit; not genuine.
