apocrypha

noun

apoc·​ry·​pha ə-ˈpä-krə-fə 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

1

: writings or statements of dubious authenticity

2

Apocrypha

a

: books included in the Septuagint and Vulgate but excluded from the Jewish and Protestant canons of the Old Testament see Bible Table

b

: early Christian writings not included in the New Testament

Examples of apocrypha in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While the detail of the ox and ass is quite familiar to many Christians today, few are aware of the other striking tales transmitted by the apocrypha. —Mary Dzon, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin, neuter plural (for scripta apocrypha "uncanonical writings") of Late Latin apocryphus "obscure, of doubtful authenticity, uncanonical," borrowed from Greek apókryphos "concealed, secret, obscure," verbal adjective of apokrýptein "to hide (from), keep hidden (from)," from apo- apo- + krýptein "to conceal, hide" — more at crypt

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

apocrypha

1 of 2 singular or plural noun

apoc·​ry·​pha ə-ˈpäk-rə-fə 

: writings or statements of doubtful authenticity

apocryphal

ə-ˈpä-krə-fəl

adjective

Apocrypha

2 of 2 singular or plural noun

: books included in some collections of biblical writings but excluded from the Jewish and Protestant canons of the Old Testament see bible