specious

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective plausible but false
  2. adjective based on pretense; deceptively pleasing

Etymology

From Middle English speciose, specious, from Anglo-Norman specious, Middle French specieux, and their etymon Latin speciōsus (“good-looking”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

spurious

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