specious
Say it: SPEE-shus /ˈspiːʃəs/ · adjective
What “specious” means
Seeming sensible or true, but actually wrong.
More precisely: Seeming reasonable or correct on the surface, but actually wrong.
Example: “The ad's specious logic: celebrities drink this water, so it must be healthy.”
When to use it
For an argument that sounds convincing until you examine it. A formal, critical word used in debates and analysis.
Similar words
misleading, plausible-sounding, fallacious
Where it comes from
From Latin speciosus, 'fair, plausible', from species 'appearance'.
Quick check
Someone argues that expensive shoes must prevent injuries because their price proves their quality. The reasoning sounds persuasive but is actually…
specious or sound?
Show the answer
specious
Learn 5 new words a day in Kinquire. Each with a picture, how to say it, an example and a quick check, then spaced review so you actually keep them. Free to start.
Learn “specious”