bogus

Everyday

1. Fake or not real, pretending to be something it is not. tree →
2. (slang) Unfair or bad, as in «That's so bogus!». tree →

In the lessons

In online safety and money lessons, «bogus» warns about fake websites, bogus callers and scams: a bogus caller pretends to be from the bank or the gas company. In everyday slang (especially American) it means unfair or rubbish.

Examples

• That website is bogus; it is not the real shop. tree →
• A bogus caller pretended to be from the water company. tree →
• The email had a bogus link, so we deleted it. tree →
• He gave a bogus excuse for missing practice. tree →
• The prize message was bogus, a trick to get your details. tree →
• «No dessert? That's so bogus!» (slang) tree →
• Police warned about bogus charity collectors. tree →

Note

Adjective only; no comparative forms used often. Said «BOH-gus». Safety rule: if something seems bogus, do not click, do not share details, tell a trusted adult. Similar words: fake, phony, sham.