Pseudo
adj, noun, slang ·Common ·High school level
Definitions
- 1 An intellectually pretentious person; a pseudointellectual. derogatory
- 2 a person who makes deceitful pretenses wordnet
- 3 A poseur; one who is fake.
- 4 pseudo-city code informal
- 5 A pseudonym; a false name used for online anonymity. Internet, clipping
"Issues such as verifiability (for age declared), anonymity (in spite of pseudos and avatars) and traceability are at stake[…]"
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- 6 Clipping of pseudoephedrine. abbreviation, alt-of, clipping
- 1 Other than what is apparent; spurious; sham. not-comparable
"Last week saw perhaps the first major showdown between the pseudo cryptolibertarianism they both espouse and that old-fashioned, resolutely analogue concept known as the nation state. For anyone who has spent any time pondering the intergalactic levels of entitlement among the tech broligarchy and the – until now – total impunity they’ve faced, the arrest and subsequent charging of Durov was a singular moment."
- 2 Insincere. not-comparable
- 1 (often used in combination) not genuine but having the appearance of wordnet
Example
More examples"I've told him before that the best solution for him is to seek out actual friends who will console him when he needs emotional support, instead of broadcasting on Fig Hunter, for reasons everyone should know by now. He already has his introvert site! Why should he feel the need to keep talking about his feelings on Fig Hunter when he already knows what will come of it? I understand that he considers Fig Hunter his "home", and the members therein his "guests". However, Pseudo didn't conduct himself as the most gracious host, either. He argued with people and openly called them names. Whether or not he is justified in doing so is irrelevant. What matters is that he doesn't have the time to be doing things like this. Talking back at these people is a complete waste of his time, when he could and should be working on his games or art or studying for university."
Etymology
From Middle English, derived from prefix pseudo-, itself derived from Ancient Greek ψευδής (pseudḗs, “false, lying”).
Related phrases
More for "pseudo"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.