reportedly
Americanadverb
adverb
Etymology
Origin of reportedly
Explanation
When something is reportedly true, it means people say it's true, but it hasn't necessarily been confirmed. If your favorite band is reportedly coming to town, it may just be an unfounded rumor. The word reportedly implies that information has been shared by others, but it hasn't been officially verified. For example, if someone says they've heard that a new movie is in the works, but there's no official announcement yet, then it is reportedly happening. Using the word reportedly helps indicate that the details are not certain, reminding us to take such news with a grain of caution until all the facts are in.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Without religion Palestine does not mean a thing,” he reportedly once told an American Zionist visitor.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026
A recipe from the court of Akbar reportedly called for equal parts of lentils, rice and ghee, according to NPR.
From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026
Even prominent investors appear divided on the stock’s prospects, with Bill Ackman recently building a position while the Bill Gates Foundation and Chris Hohn have reportedly reduced or exited their stakes.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
An Ebola burial team was reportedly attacked this week in South Kivu province, forcing responders to abandon a coffin and raising fears of further transmission.
From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026
Many former secret agents, including Gunter Guillaume, testified against him, helping expose Wolf's massive, decades-long effort to spy on the West—which reportedly involved more than 4,000 spies in West Germany alone.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
