Specious

Pronunciation

• UK, US IPA: /ˈspiːʃəs/
• Rhymes: -iːʃəs

Origin

From Latin speciōsus ("good-looking").

Full definition of specious

Adjective

1. 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.
• 1776, Thomas Paine, I have frequently amused myself both in public and private companies, with silently remarking, the specious errors of those who speak without reflecting.
2. Having an attractive appearance intended to generate a favorable response; deceptively attractive.
3. (obsolete) Beautiful, pleasing to look at.

Synonyms

• (seemingly well-reasoned, but fallacious) fallacious, insincere
• (with appearance intended to generate a favorable response) meretricious

Derived terms

• speciosity
• speciously
• speciousness

Anagrams

• cosies up