libel

CEFRC1

/ˈlaɪbəl/

noun · verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A false written statement that harms someone's reputation.

  2. 02

    verb

    To publish a false statement that harms someone's reputation.

Examples

  • It is unlikely that libel laws will be invoked.

  • Mr Miura brought an action of libel against a weekly magazine.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
1
Synonyms
5

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. Any defamatory writing; a lampoon; a satire.

  2. The act or tort of displaying such a statement publicly.

  3. A written or pictorial false statement which unjustly seeks to damage someone's reputation.

More examples

In context

  • The actress sued the magazine for libel.

  • He libelled her when he published that.

  • a libel of forsaking [divorcement]

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The article was considered blank because it contained false accusations against the politician.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From Middle English libel, from Old French libelle, from Latin libellus (“petition”, literally “booklet”). Doublet of libelle.