word of mouth

American  

noun

1. informal oral communication.

   The rumor spread rapidly by word of mouth.

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Other Word Forms

• word-of-mouth adjective

Etymology

Origin of word of mouth

First recorded in 1545–55

Example Sentences

Radio airplay, strong word of mouth, glossy production and a slick cover that looked like an upscale fragrance ad helped the record sell a million copies by September 1976.

From The Wall Street Journal

He publishes with a small press to little notice, yet word of mouth helps the book sell out its first edition.

From The Wall Street Journal

Their popularity has spread by word of mouth and by TikTokers who have ranked them among the city’s top Catholic parishes.

From The Wall Street Journal

I felt like the healthcare professionals found us first, then spread through word of mouth.

From Los Angeles Times

It genuinely feels like it’s word of mouth that people have been discovering the film.

From Los Angeles Times