Apocryphal
adjective
Something that is widely known but probably not true.
There are many apocryphal stories about the origin of this tradition.
Often appears as...
- apocryphal story
- apocryphal account
adjective
Related to texts that are not included in the traditional version of the Bible.
The apocryphal books of the Bible include some interesting stories.
Often appears as...
- apocryphal books
- apocryphal gospels
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
Something that is widely known but probably not true.
There are many apocryphal stories about the origin of this tradition.
Often appears as...
- apocryphal story
- apocryphal account
adjective
Related to texts that are not included in the traditional version of the Bible.
The apocryphal books of the Bible include some interesting stories.
Often appears as...
- apocryphal books
- apocryphal gospels
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Doubtful Authenticity
Use 'apocryphal' for stories or facts of questionable truth, indicating skepticism or doubt.
He amused us with an apocryphal anecdote about meeting the queen.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always False
While 'apocryphal' suggests doubt, it doesn't confirm that a tale or fact is false, just unlikely.
The apocryphal legends served to entertain, regardless of their truth.
Pro Tip 3/3Connotative Nuance
The word can imply quaintness or charm associated with questionable historic tales.
The village is famous for its apocryphal ghost stories.
Pro Tip 1/3Doubtful Authenticity
Use 'apocryphal' for stories or facts of questionable truth, indicating skepticism or doubt.
He amused us with an apocryphal anecdote about meeting the queen.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always False
While 'apocryphal' suggests doubt, it doesn't confirm that a tale or fact is false, just unlikely.
The apocryphal legends served to entertain, regardless of their truth.
Pro Tip 3/3Connotative Nuance
The word can imply quaintness or charm associated with questionable historic tales.
The village is famous for its apocryphal ghost stories.
Pro Tip 1/3Doubtful Authenticity
Use 'apocryphal' for stories or facts of questionable truth, indicating skepticism or doubt.
He amused us with an apocryphal anecdote about meeting the queen.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always False
While 'apocryphal' suggests doubt, it doesn't confirm that a tale or fact is false, just unlikely.
The apocryphal legends served to entertain, regardless of their truth.
Pro Tip 3/3Connotative Nuance
The word can imply quaintness or charm associated with questionable historic tales.
The village is famous for its apocryphal ghost stories.
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Video examples
What will future jobs...
What could possibly go wrong in this new machine age? Right? Great, hang up, flourish, go home. We're going to face two really thorny sets of challenges as we head deeper into the future that we're creating. The first are economic, and they're really nicely summarized in an apocryphal story about a back-and-forth
Video examples
Social animal - David...
value and so reading and educating your emotions is one of the central activities of wisdom now I'm a middle-aged guy I'm not exactly comfortable with emotions one of my favorite brain stories described these middle-aged guys they put him into a brain scan machine this is apocryphal by
Video examples
What will future jobs...
What could possibly go wrong in this new machine age? Right? Great, hang up, flourish, go home. We're going to face two really thorny sets of challenges as we head deeper into the future that we're creating. The first are economic, and they're really nicely summarized in an apocryphal story about a back-and-forth
Video examples
Social animal - David...
value and so reading and educating your emotions is one of the central activities of wisdom now I'm a middle-aged guy I'm not exactly comfortable with emotions one of my favorite brain stories described these middle-aged guys they put him into a brain scan machine this is apocryphal by
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Peter Hedges
American Novelist
I once heard a story, it's probably apocryphal, but I love the notion. That a car had flipped over and the baby was trapped underneath the car and the mother was thrown from the car. Then the mother lifted up the car to pull her child to safety. And I believe that my own strength comes from whom and what I love.
Quote examples
Stanley Donen
American Director
There was never any point in my life when I wasn't called Mr. Donen. I'm told my first words were, 'Call me Mr. Donen.' But I suspect that's apocryphal. My mother, Mrs. Donen, tended to exaggerate.
Quote examples
Linda Lavin
American Actress
The story about me, apocryphal or not, is that I could sing before I spoke. My parents went into bedroom one day and there I was standing in the crib singing God Bless America.
Quote examples
Peter Hedges
American Novelist
I once heard a story, it's probably apocryphal, but I love the notion. That a car had flipped over and the baby was trapped underneath the car and the mother was thrown from the car. Then the mother lifted up the car to pull her child to safety. And I believe that my own strength comes from whom and what I love.
Quote examples
Stanley Donen
American Director
There was never any point in my life when I wasn't called Mr. Donen. I'm told my first words were, 'Call me Mr. Donen.' But I suspect that's apocryphal. My mother, Mrs. Donen, tended to exaggerate.
Quote examples
Linda Lavin
American Actress
The story about me, apocryphal or not, is that I could sing before I spoke. My parents went into bedroom one day and there I was standing in the crib singing God Bless America.
Example 1 of 3
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