Pseudo
/ˈsuː.doʊ/noun
A prefix meaning false, fake, or not genuine; also used as a noun for a pretender or fraud.
Did you know?Pseudo comes from Greek pseudes, the same root behind words for lies and falsehood, so every “pseudo-” word is basically a linguistic warning label.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
pseudes
“false, lying, deceptive”
Ancient Greek
Greek
pseudos
“a lie; falsehood”
Late Latin
Latin
pseud(o)-
“false; sham; pretending to be”
Middle English
English
pseudo-
“used as a prefix meaning false or counterfeit”
Modern English
English
pseudo
“a false or pretended thing or person”
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