Added 9 October 2026
specious
/ˈspiːʃəs/ adjective
Latin root: speciōsus Wiktionary
adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about specious at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
Seemingly well-reasoned, plausible or true, but actually fallacious.
This idea that we must see through what we have started is specious, however good it may sound.
- Employing fallacious but deceptively plausible arguments; deceitful.
- Having an attractive appearance intended to generate a favorable response; deceptively attractive.
adjective
- Alternative form of speciose (“rich in species”).
Origin
From Middle English speciose, specious, from Anglo-Norman specious, Middle French specieux, and their etymon Latin speciōsus (“good-looking”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)