bogue: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very low frequencyVery informal / Slang
Quick answer
What does “bogue” mean?
An informal term for something that is fake, fraudulent, or of poor quality.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An informal term for something that is fake, fraudulent, or of poor quality; to counterfeit, cheat, or deceive.
Used as an adjective, noun, or verb to describe anything that is not genuine, such as counterfeit money, fraudulent products, or insincere actions. In computing, sometimes used to describe a software bug. Also a regional term for certain types of fish.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
This word is extremely rare in formal contexts. It has more historical use in American criminal slang (19th-20th century). Contemporary British usage is almost non-existent, except in niche references.
Connotations
American: Criminal activity, forgery, underworld slang. British: Archaic or unknown to most speakers.
Frequency
Virtually obsolete in modern everyday English. May appear in historical novels, period films, or discussions of old criminal slang.
Grammar
How to Use “bogue” in a Sentence
Noun (a bogue) Verb (to bogue something) Adjective (a bogue product)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bogue” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He tried to bogue the signature on the cheque.
American English
- They were arrested for boguing currency in the garage.
adverb
British English
- The contract was boguely executed.
American English
- The documents were all boguely signed.
adjective
British English
- The market was full of bogue designer handbags.
American English
- He paid for the meal with a bogue twenty-dollar bill.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used informally to warn of a fraudulent deal or counterfeit product.
Academic
Virtually never used, except in historical linguistics studies of slang.
Everyday
Extremely rare and would likely be misunderstood.
Technical
Not used in standard technical language. In computing, it's a misspelling of 'bug'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bogue”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bogue”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bogue”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Confusing it with 'vogue' (fashionable).
- Using it as a common synonym for 'bad' or 'boring'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare and outdated slang term. Most native English speakers will not know it.
Its primary meaning relates to something counterfeit or fake, especially money.
Yes, but rarely. As a verb, it means to counterfeit or forge something, e.g., 'to bogue a passport'.
'Bogus' is the standard, more common adjective meaning 'fake'. 'Bogue' is an archaic and less frequent noun/verb form of the same idea, often linked to criminal activity.
An informal term for something that is fake, fraudulent, or of poor quality.
Bogue is usually very informal / slang in register.
Bogue: in British English it is pronounced /bəʊɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /boʊɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific. Potential: 'Passing bogue' (passing counterfeit money).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A **bogue** bill feels like it's made of **bog**-us paper.
Conceptual Metaphor
FALSE IS BOGUS / DECEPTION IS A COUNTERFEIT OBJECT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'bogue' be most appropriately used?