apocrypha: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

It is a plural noun (from Greek), though it is often treated as a singular collective noun in English (e.g., 'The Apocrypha is interesting'). The singular form for one such work is 'apocryphon'.

'Apocrypha' (often capitalized) is a noun referring to the collection of writings itself. 'Apocryphal' is an adjective meaning 'of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as true'.

No. The Apocrypha (or Deuterocanonical books) are considered canonical by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches but are generally not included in the Protestant biblical canon, though they may be printed for academic purposes.

Yes, metaphorically. It can refer to any set of stories, facts, or writings that are of questionable authenticity but are popularly repeated, especially within a specific group or field.

A collection of writings of uncertain authenticity or authorship, specifically those books of the Bible included in the Septuagint and Vulgate but excluded from the Jewish and Protestant canons.

Apocrypha is usually formal, academic, religious in register.

Apocrypha: in British English it is pronounced /əˈpɒkrɪfə/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈpɑːkrɪfə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.