Pronunciation: [spjˈʊɹɪəs] (IPA) 
The word "spurious" can be challenging to spell, as its pronunciation differs from its spelling. The IPA phonetic transcription for "spurious" is /ˈspjʊər.i.əs/. The "sp" at the beginning is pronounced as /sp/. The "u" in the second syllable sounds like /jʊə/, and the "o" in the third syllable sounds like /ə/. The final "s" is pronounced as /s/. Despite its spelling, "spurious" is commonly pronounced as "SPUR-ee-us" in North America.
Spurious is an adjective that refers to something that is false, fake, or counterfeit, possessing an appearance of authenticity but lacking genuineness or legitimacy. It describes something that is deceptive, misleading, or not based on genuine principles or evidence.
When applied to a claim or argument, spurious suggests that it lacks truth or accuracy and is intended to mislead or deceive. For example, a spurious accusation is one that is unfounded, baseless, or fabricated, with the aim to harm or defame someone's reputation.
Spurious can also be used to describe objects or products that imitate a genuine item but are of inferior quality or are not made by the authorized manufacturer. For instance, a spurious designer handbag may mimic the appearance of a luxury brand but is made of cheaper materials and does not possess the same level of craftsmanship.
In a broader context, spurious can also describe ideas, theories, or beliefs that lack credibility or authenticity. It suggests that something is not legitimate or valid, often due to a lack of evidence or logical reasoning.
Overall, spurious is a term that emphasizes the deceptive or counterfeit nature of something, highlighting its lack of genuineness, truth, or worth.
False, not genuine, adulterated.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Not real or genuine; not proceeding from the true source; counterfeit; false.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "spurious" originated from the Latin word "spurius", which meant "illegitimate" or "false". It eventually evolved into the Old French word "espurios" and then Middle English "spurious", retaining its meaning of something false or fraudulent.
