apocryphal
/əˈpɑkrəfəl/
adjective
- Of doubtful authenticity or authorship; not genuine or true, though often widely believed.
- Many apocryphal legends have grown up around the ancient king.
- The story about George Washington chopping down a cherry tree is almost certainly apocryphal.
- She told an apocryphal tale of meeting a celebrity that no one could verify.
- Relating to the Apocrypha; not included in the canonical Bible.
- Apocryphal books were often read for personal devotion but not used in church services.
- The apocryphal writings provide insight into early Christian beliefs.
- The Gospel of Thomas is an apocryphal text not found in the New Testament.