How Do You Spell SPECIOUS?

Pronunciation: [spˈiːʃəs] (IPA)

Specious is a deceiving word to spell. Despite how it sounds, it is not spelled with an "e" after the "c." Instead, the word is written with an "i" and an "o" in between the "s" and "u." The IPA phonetic transcription is /ˈspiːʃəs/. This word means something that is superficially plausible or attractive but is actually false or misleading. It is important to understand the correct spelling to avoid any misunderstandings or errors in communication.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Similar spelling words
Basic Check Advanced Check

SPECIOUS Meaning and Definition

  1. Specious is an adjective that describes something that appears true or valid, but is actually deceptive or misleading. It refers to an argument, explanation, or appearance that seems plausible on the surface, but lacks merit or substance upon closer examination. The term is derived from the Latin word "speciosus," which means beautiful or showy.

    When applied to reasoning or arguments, something is considered specious if it appears logical or persuasive, but is actually based on false or unsound reasoning. Such arguments often rely on superficial or irrelevant factors to support their claims, thereby giving an impression of correctness without actually providing substantial evidence or support.

    Similarly, specious can describe an excuse, explanation, or justification that seems reasonable but hides ulterior motives or intentions. It suggests a deceptive or misleading quality, aiming to misguide or mislead others by creating a false sense of credibility or trustworthiness.

    In terms of appearances, specious can describe something that seems impressive or attractive at first glance, but is ultimately insignificant or valueless upon further evaluation. This can refer to physical beauty that hides a lack of inner qualities, or to a lustrous presentation that conceals a lack of substance or integrity.

    Overall, specious denotes an apparent plausibility or attractiveness that is later revealed as being misleading, deceptive, or lacking in genuine substance.

  2. Showy; plausible; apparently right; appearing well at first view.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for SPECIOUS *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for SPECIOUS

Etymology of SPECIOUS

The word "specious" originated from the Latin term "speciosus", which means "beautiful" or "handsome". It is derived from the root word "species", which referred to the appearance, form, or aspect of something. Over time, the meaning of "specious" shifted to describe something that only appears to be true or plausible, but is actually misleading or deceptive.

Similar spelling words for SPECIOUS