apocrypha

noun

apoc·​ry·​pha ə-ˈpä-krə-fə How to pronounce apocrypha (audio)
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
1
: writings or statements of dubious authenticity
2
capitalized
a
: books included in the Septuagint and Vulgate but excluded from the Jewish and Protestant canons of the Old Testament see Bible Table
b
: early Christian writings not included in the New Testament

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin, neuter plural (for scripta apocrypha "uncanonical writings") of Late Latin apocryphus "obscure, of doubtful authenticity, uncanonical," borrowed from Greek apókryphos "concealed, secret, obscure," verbal adjective of apokrýptein "to hide (from), keep hidden (from)," from apo- apo- + krýptein "to conceal, hide" — more at crypt

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of apocrypha was in 1539

Browse Nearby Words

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apocrypha
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Cite this Entry

“Apocrypha.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apocrypha. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.

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Kids Definition

apocrypha

1 of 2 singular or plural noun
apoc·​ry·​pha
ə-ˈpäk-rə-fə
: writings or statements of doubtful authenticity
apocryphal
ə-ˈpä-krə-fəl
adjective

Apocrypha

2 of 2 singular or plural noun
: books included in some collections of biblical writings but excluded from the Jewish and Protestant canons of the Old Testament see bible

More from Merriam-Webster on apocrypha

Nglish: Translation of apocrypha for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about apocrypha

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