🇬🇧 Apocryphal meaning: English Vocabulary Flash Card

Apocryphal describes a story or a piece of information that people often hear and believe, but there's no real proof that it's true. It might be something that has been passed down through many people, but it could just be made up or not entirely accurate. Think of a tall tale or a legend that everyone knows but might not be based on real facts.

A highly apocryphal school rumor says the principal was once a professional wrestler.

The story of a kid who sneezed so hard he flew out of his chair is probably apocryphal, but I still laugh at it.

My dog's apocryphal claim that he has “never been fed in his life” does not match his round belly.

An apocryphal rumor at school says the cafeteria’s mystery meat is made from last year’s science projects.

The story about a student who turned invisible after eating expired yogurt sounds very apocryphal, but I still won’t risk it.

An old man on the bench told an apocryphal tale of a child saved by a river dog. The apocryphal detail—dog leaping through rain—made the boy clap. Each apocryphal line grew brighter: the dog can talk, the dog asked for tea. The apocryphal story ended with a wink; the boy hugged him, smiling at the apocryphal doubt.

This word is at the C2 level, which means it represents the highest mastery of English. It’s often used in specialized or highly formal contexts and helps you communicate with precision and subtlety, much like a native speaker.

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