apocryphal

apoc·ry·phal

adjective \ə-ˈpä-krə-fəl\

Definition of APOCRYPHAL

1

: of doubtful authenticity : spurious

2

often capitalized : of or resembling the Apocrypha

— apoc·ry·phal·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb

— apoc·ry·phal·ness noun

Examples of APOCRYPHAL

1. an apocryphal story about the president's childhood
2. During these men's professional lives, Wall Street has become accustomed to getting what it wants from Washington. America's top bankers have an even longer history of not giving a hoot what the public thinks. Sample (possibly apocryphal) quote from the original J.P. Morgan: “ I owe the public nothing.” —Daniel Gross, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2009
3. True or apocryphal, the story of the invention of the fried Ipswich clam—Mr. Woodman, faced with a huge vat of hot oil for his potato chips and a mess of clams harvested from the mud flats of his home town, reportedly had a eureka moment—is unabashed gospel for lovers of this regional specialty. —Nancy Harmon Jenkins, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2002
4. There is a story, perhaps apocryphal, about Leonard Bernstein and tax returns. On the line that asked him to list his profession, Bernstein didn't write “conductor” or “composer,” or “pianist,” or “teacher.” He simply wrote, “musician.” —Bari Walsh, Bostonia, Winter 2000-2001

Origin of APOCRYPHAL

(see apocrypha)

First Known Use: 1590

Other Bible Terms

antediluvian, apocalyptic, apocrypha, behemoth