Bogus
/ˈboʊɡəs/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Bogus describes something that is not genuine or true. It is often used for things like fake documents, false claims, or anything pretending to be real but actually is not. People use it to show distrust or say something is wrong or dishonest.
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See It in Action
Fake or false, not genuine
- •He was caught using a bogus passport to enter the country.
- •The company was selling bogus products that didn’t work.
- •Don’t trust that email; it looks bogus and might be a scam.
Not true or honest; dishonest or misleading
- •She made bogus claims about her work experience.
- •The story about winning the lottery was completely bogus.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "bogus" like "fake," but often used to describe things that try to trick people into believing they are real.
- ✓Picture a fake ID card that looks real but is made of cheap plastic and lies.
- ✓It’s the feeling you get when you realize something you trusted is not true or honest.
- ✓Sounds like "BO-gus" → imagine a "bog" (a wet, muddy place) where things get stuck and aren’t solid or real.
- ✓Think of a story where someone sells fake money or false tickets — those are bogus.
- ✓NOT like "real" (true and genuine), bogus is the opposite — something pretending but false.
- ✓NOT like "wrong" (which can be a mistake), bogus often means deliberately false or fake.
- ✓NOT like "imitation" (which can be harmless), bogus often has a negative meaning — trying to cheat or fool.
Try Other Words
- •Fake: not real or genuine (Use when talking about objects or simple lies)
- •False: not true or correct (Use when emphasizing truthfulness)
- •Counterfeit: made to look like something real, usually money or documents (Use when referring to illegal copying)
- •Fraudulent: dishonest or illegal, made to cheat (Use in formal or legal contexts)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix, likely slang or informal origin)
- •Etymology: Originates from American English slang in the early 20th century, meaning fake or not real
- •Historical development: Originally used in informal speech to describe false or fake things, especially in business or crime
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in everyday English to describe anything false, fake, or dishonest, often in casual or informal contexts
Reflect & Connect
•How do you decide if something is bogus or just a simple mistake?
•Can something be bogus without anyone intending to trick others? How would you explain that?
Fill in the blanks
1.He was arrested because he tried to use a bogus ___ to get into the country.
2.When the seller gave me a bogus ___, I knew the product was not real.
3.People feel angry when they find out a story is bogus because it ___ their trust.
4.Unlike a simple error, a bogus claim is usually meant to ___ people.
5.The email looked bogus ___ the strange sender address and bad grammar.
6.She quickly rejected the offer because it seemed ___ and too good to be true.
7.If something is bogus, it usually does not ___ the real thing in quality or truth.