plagiarism

[ pley-juh-riz-uhm, -jee-uh-riz- ]

noun

1. an act or instance of using or closely imitating the language and thoughts of another author without authorization and the representation of that author's work as one's own, as by not crediting the original author:

   It is said that he plagiarized Thoreau's plagiarism of a line written by Montaigne.

   Synonyms: cribbing, borrowing, theft, piracy, infringement, appropriation

2. a piece of writing or other work reflecting such unauthorized use or imitation:

   “These two manuscripts are clearly plagiarisms,” the editor said, tossing them angrily on the floor.

plagiarism

/ ˈpleɪdʒəˌrɪzəm /

noun

1. the act of plagiarizing
2. something plagiarized

plagiarism

1. Literary theft. Plagiarism occurs when a writer duplicates another writer's language or ideas and then calls the work his or her own. Copyright laws protect writers' words as their legal property. To avoid the charge of plagiarism, writers take care to credit those from whom they borrow and quote.

Notes

Similar theft in music or other arts is also called plagiarism.

Derived Forms

• ˈplagiarist, noun
• ˌplagiaˈristic, adjective

Other Words From

• plagia·rist noun
• plagia·ristic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of plagiarism¹

First recorded in 1615–25; plagiar(y) + -ism

Example Sentences

One of the most oft-cited studies was done by scientists supporting the use of the drug, while another in Egypt was withdrawn by its publisher last month over concerns about plagiarism and suspect data.

From Washington Post

After rapidly rising in polling earlier this year, the Greens have slipped — in part because of a plagiarism controversy involving Baerbock.

From Ozy

Dan totally bombed on his part of the project — factual inaccuracies, outright plagiarism, way less output than required.

From Washington Post

While Mallory’s deceptions about his identity were brought to light, accusations of plagiarism also began to mount.

From Time

Since then, scams have blossomed online and plagiarism how-to guides have sprouted across the fertile fields of conspiracy-theory forums.

From Washington Post

In the piece, Gladwell asked, “Should a charge of plagiarism ruin your life?”

From The Daily Beast

CNN presenter Fareed Zakaria has been hit by another wave of plagiarism accusations.

From The Daily Beast

In November 2013, Driscoll was accused of plagiarism by radio talk show host Janet Mefferd.

From The Daily Beast

Dorothy Parker once noted that “the only ‘ism’ Hollywood cares about is plagiarism.”

From The Daily Beast

To help make a case, the suit attempts to establish both opportunity and a pattern of plagiarism on the part of the band.

From The Daily Beast

Besides all this, there is the painful question of plagiarism.

From Project Gutenberg

There was therefore every possibility of Nilus being suddenly confronted with the source of his plagiarism.

From Project Gutenberg

Their fine thoughts he certainly associated with his own, but with such skill that he could not be accused of plagiarism.

From Project Gutenberg

Speak freely, for we priests—' That last was a direct plagiarism from a faquir by the Taksali Gate.

From Project Gutenberg

The plagiarism which, if not found out at once, was found out very soon, is the least of these: in fact hardly a fault at all.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• falsification
• infringement
• piracy