Spurious: Word Meaning, Examples, Origin & Usage in IELTS

In academic writing, legal discussions, and formal debate, truth and authenticity are critical. However, not everything that appears true is genuine. The word ‘spurious’ describes this most appropriately. Used to describe something that is false, fake, or illegitimate, the word has a strong tone of skepticism and critical thinking, perfect for sophisticated writing or IELTS essays when evaluating claims or ideas.

In this blog post, we will explore the meaning, origin, history, synonyms and antonyms of the word and proper usage of the term ‘spurious’ within the context of IELTS, solidifying our understanding through practical exercises.

Meaning of Spurious

• Pronunication: /ˈspjʊəriəs/ (sounds like spyoo·ree·uhs)

According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, spurious means false and not what it appears to be, or not valid or true. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as something based on false reasoning or incorrect information, and therefore not to be trusted.

It is often used to describe arguments, claims, data, or documents that seem credible at first glance but fail under scrutiny. 

History and Origin of Spurious

The Latin root spurius was originally used in the Roman Empire to label children born outside of lawful marriage, hence, ‘illegitimate’. Over time, English adopted the term to refer to anything illegitimate or deceitful, especially in speech, logic, and reasoning.

Usage & Examples of Spurious

Let us look at some example sentences where the word spurious has been used in its adjective form. So, given below are some sentences using the word in different forms.

• Thousands of people die drinking spurious liquor every year.
• There are a lot of spurious paintings of Picasso sold online.
• You have to be careful while buying saffron from the market. It could be spurious.
• This spurious reasoning will lead to disaster.
• I wasted $1000 dollars on an engagement ring with a spurious diamond. I am infuriated!
• The guy I met at the nightclub last night made a spurious claim about being connected to the royal family.
• Most Italian “Extra Virgin” olive oil you see on shelves, is spurious, as it’s blended with other low-quality oils to cut costs.
• This spurious milk controversy is making the entire dairy industry look bad.
• I was convicted five years ago on a “selling spurious food products” charge.
• The Prime Minister decimated the Opposition Leader’s spurious objections to the bill.
• The priests' committee set up a spurious trust, which was a front for drug trafficking.

IELTS Usage of ‘Spurious’

The word ‘spurious’ adds critical precision and conveys a formal tone, ideal for high-band IELTS responses. Given below are examples of the usage of the word in IELTS Writing Task 2 and Speaking.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Example

• Question: Do you agree or disagree that social media has a mostly negative influence on society?
• Answer Excerpt: While social media connects millions, it also amplifies spurious information, leading to widespread misinformation and emotional manipulation. Therefore, its influence is not entirely positive.

IELTS Speaking Part 3 Example

• Question: How can people identify fake news?
• Answer Excerpt: “I think the best way is to check the source. Most spurious stories come from websites with no credibility or fact-checking.”

Synonyms of Spurious

Given below, in the table, you will find some close synonyms for IELTS Writing and Speaking of the word spurious, each explained with a sample sentence.

Antonyms of Spurious

Check out the table given below to learn some antonyms of the word ‘spurious’ and boost your IELTS vocabulary.

Exercises to Master the Meaning of Spurious

In order to strengthen your understanding of the word ‘spurious’, take the following exercises.

1 Choose the sentence that uses “spurious” correctly.

A She gave a spurious smile that made everyone feel genuinely happy.

B The article was dismissed because it presented spurious evidence without credible sources.

C His spurious tone inspired confidence in the audience.

D They bought a spurious antique at a high price because it was genuine.

2 Which of the following best describes a spurious argument?

A An argument supported by verified research.

B A discussion based on personal opinions.

C A claim that seems logical but is based on false or weak reasoning.

D A statement expressed in a friendly tone.

1 The information in the report was misleading and lacked reliable sources.

2 He made a false claim about winning the award, even though it wasn’t true.

3 Her reasoning sounded logical, but it was actually based on incorrect assumptions.

4 They were fooled by fake documents that looked official.

Answer Key

To conclude, using spurious appropriately shows that you not only understand vocabulary, but also how to analyze and challenge what’s presented as truth. So, include this word in your IELTS vocabulary words list for Band 8 or 9 and achieve your desired score.

Useful Links:

• Sonder: Word Meaning, Examples, Origin & Usage in IELTS
• State-Of-The-Art - Word Of The Day For IELTS 
• Vicissitude – Word of the Day for IELTS
• Check Your English Vocabulary for IELTS Exam Free PDF
• Advanced Grammar for IELTS: Common Adverb+Adjective Collocations
• Advanced Vocabulary for IELTS 7.0-9.0: Practice Exercises and Answer Key (Part 1)