apocryphal
5
8.9
- adjective
- /əˈpɑːkrɪfəl/
:
apócrifo
- The story of George Washington chopping down a cherry tree is often considered apocryphal and lacks historical evidence.
- apocryphal story
- probably apocryphal
- perhaps apocryphal
Uncle Tom's Cabin, the famous, though possibly apocryphal remark by Abraham Lincoln that she was the little lady who caused this great big war.
- Uncle Tom's Cabin, the famous, though possibly apocryphal remark by Abraham Lincoln that she was the little lady who caused this great big war.
- Nothing with nothing built around poetry is apocryphal.
- Being half an Irishman, I'm entitled to say, as the apocryphal Irishman, ask the road and distance to Dublin.
Examples
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We'd heard all the apocryphal stories of young couples ambushed in lovers' lanes.
Fiction book (1997) -
Both of these stories are most likely apocryphal.
Academic text (2008) -
The story may be apocryphal, but I believe it.
-
But like so much I seem to "know," it may be apocryphal.
Fiction book (1997) -
I suspect that this is one of those apocryphal stories that go around.
Blog text (25) -
Jefferson cited no source for this, in all likelihood, apocryphal account.
Academic text (1996) -
The story that he used his spurs to defend himself is probably apocryphal.
Academic text (1995) -
A contemporary anecdote, probably apocryphal, illustrates this reputation.
Academic text (1996) -
I'd like to conclude with an apocryphal story about Franklin, which, like so many of his little tales and stories, has valuable lessons for us today.
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I will tell you—this is an apocryphal story, but it is too good to pass up.
Academic text (1997)
Synonyms
6
8.1
Not proved by other facts or evidence
3
4.2
Said to be true or to have happened but not proved
Antonyms
How Authentic
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Apocryphal comes from Greek apo- 'away' and kryptein 'to hide', the same idea you see in cryptic. So an apocryphal story is one that was kept 'away' from official records and is often seen as doubtful or not clearly true.