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.
In response, crews reportedly used hydrogen peroxide treatments to address water quality issues, restoring just the outer rim of the pool to its blue coloration while leaving other areas still very green in appearance.
From Salon • Jun. 19, 2026
The hotel, whose guests had reportedly been quietly asked to leave to accommodate the talks, loomed down from the mountain top precipice.
From Barron's • Jun. 19, 2026
He reportedly disliked the constant and later referred to it as his "biggest blunder."
From Science Daily • Jun. 19, 2026
The Nice forward was reportedly, external arrested last month before the World Cup over alleged involvement in spot-fixing in Ligue 1.
From BBC • Jun. 18, 2026
By the time Ferdie was six months old, he had reportedly written his first spirit communication in pencil: “I love this little boy, God bless his mama.”
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
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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.