Libel Meaning
/ˈlaɪbəl/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA written or pictorial false statement which unjustly seeks to damage someone's reputation.
nounThe act or tort of displaying such a statement publicly.
Sentence Examples
The actress sued the magazine for libel.
Mr Miura brought an action of libel against a weekly magazine.
It is unlikely that libel laws will be invoked.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The article was considered ____ because it contained false accusations against the politician.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The famous actor sued the newspaper for ____ after they published a false and damaging story about him tonight.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English libel, from Old French libelle, from Latin libellus (“petition”, literally “booklet”). Doublet of libelle.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"But vvhat ſo pure, vvhich envious tongues vvill ſpare? / Some vvicked vvits have libell'd all the fair."
— 1709, Alexander Pope, “January and May; or, The Merchant’s Tale, from Chaucer”, in The Works of Mr. Alexander Pope, volume I, London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintot, […], published 1717, →OCLC, page 203:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The article was considered ____ because it contained false accusations against the politician.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The famous actor sued the newspaper for ____ after they published a false and damaging story about him tonight.