slander
[ slan-der ]
/ ˈslæn dər /
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noun
defamation; calumny: The accusations are based on hearsay, rumor, or intentional slander, and remain undocumented and unproved.
a malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report: The writer is spewing a despicable slander against an 87-year-old man, and without a shred of proof.
Law. defamation by oral utterance rather than by writing, pictures, etc.: The plaintiff amended his complaint to add a count of slander arising from the statements made at the board meetings.Compare libel (def. 1a).
verb (used with object)
to utter slander against; defame: Both parties tried to concentrate on public policy issues in their campaigns, rather than slandering their political opponents.
verb (used without object)
to utter or circulate slander: They could find no skeletons in my closet, so their only option was to lie and slander.
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Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of slander
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English noun s(c)laundre, from Anglo-French esclaundre, Old French esclandre, alteration of escandle, from Late Latin scandalum “cause of offense, snare” (see scandal); Middle English verb s(c)laundren “to cause to lapse morally, bring to disgrace, discredit, defame,” from Anglo-French esclaund(e)rer, from Old French esc(l)andrer, esc(l)andir, derivative of esclandre
words often confused with slander
Defamation (and the less common calumny ) are general terms for untrue statements that attack or injure someone’s reputation. Slander and libel, while they are both used generally, are legally more specific: slander is spoken, while libel is written, broadcast, or published. If a statement is true, or is an opinion not stated as a fact, it cannot be considered defamation, and therefore cannot be prosecuted as slander or libel.
OTHER WORDS FROM slander
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH slander
1. calumny, defamation, libel, slander (see confusables note at the current entry)2. defame, libel, slanderDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use slander in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for slander
slander
/ (ˈslɑːndə) /
noun
law
- defamation in some transient form, as by spoken words, gestures, etc
- a slanderous statement, etc
any false or defamatory words spoken about a person; calumny
verb
to utter or circulate slander (about)
Derived forms of slander
slanderer, nounslanderous, adjectiveslanderously, adverbslanderousness, nounWord Origin for slander
C13: via Anglo-French from Old French escandle, from Late Latin scandalum a cause of offence; see scandal
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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