Apocryphal
adjective /əˈpɒkrɪfəl/ — Probably not true, but too good to stop repeating.
Definition
Of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true; relating to texts excluded from the biblical canon.
Beyond the definition
Apocryphal is the word for the story that's probably not true — the famous quote misattributed to Churchill, the founding myth that didn't happen quite that way — but that persists because it contains a truth larger than its accuracy. Apocryphal stories survive because they should be true, even if they aren't.
Origin & history
From Greek apokryphos 'hidden, obscure', from apokryptein 'to hide away'. Originally referred to religious texts hidden from all but the initiated; later extended to the deuterocanonical books excluded from some biblical canons.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The story of Einstein failing maths is probably apocryphal, but it's repeated because people need it to be true.
The apocryphal founding story of the company had been repeated so often that no one checked it anymore.
She mentioned it with the caveat that the anecdote might be apocryphal — the source was unclear.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Apocryphal” when the meaning fits your context: Of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true; relating to texts excluded from the biblical canon.
Synonyms
dubious, unverified, legendary, mythical, questionable
Antonyms
authenticated, verified, factual, canonical
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Apocryphal" mean?
Apocryphal is adjective meaning: Probably not true, but too good to stop repeating.. Of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true; relating to texts excluded from the biblical canon.
Where does the word "Apocryphal" come from?
From Greek apokryphos 'hidden, obscure', from apokryptein 'to hide away'. Originally referred to religious texts hidden from all but the initiated; later extended to the deuterocanonical books excluded from some biblical canons.