grapevine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal
Quick answer
What does “grapevine” mean?
The climbing plant that produces grapes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The climbing plant that produces grapes.
An unofficial, informal means of spreading information, rumors, or news through word of mouth, typically within a community or organization.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both use the extended meaning identically. The phrase "hear (sth) on/through/over/via the grapevine" is standard in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties: informal, possibly unreliable transmission of information.
Frequency
The extended meaning is equally common in both varieties. The literal botanical term is less frequent in everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “grapevine” in a Sentence
hear [NP] on/through/via the grapevineaccording to the grapevine[NP] is going around the grapevinethe grapevine has it that [CLAUSE]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grapevine” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe the spread of unofficial news about layoffs, promotions, or corporate changes before official announcements.
Academic
Rare in formal writing; may appear in sociology or communication studies discussing informal information networks.
Everyday
Commonly used to explain how one learned a piece of personal or local news, e.g., about a neighbor's plans or a friend's relationship.
Technical
Not a technical term. The botanical term is used in viticulture/agriculture.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grapevine”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grapevine”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grapevine”
- Using 'grapevine' as a verb (e.g., *'It grapevined that...'). It is only a noun.
- Confusing it with 'vineyard' (a place where grapevines are grown).
- Using the definite article 'the' incorrectly. It is almost always '*the* grapevine' in the idiomatic sense.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The literal meaning (the plant) can be used in formal contexts like botanical texts. The idiomatic meaning (informal rumor network) is considered informal and is best avoided in very formal writing like academic papers or official reports.
Not exclusively. It's used for any information (true or false) that spreads unofficially. It often implies the information is unverified, so it can be synonymous with rumor, but it can also later turn out to be true.
It originated in the mid-19th century, likely referring to the telegraph lines that crisscrossed the country like grapevines. The phrase 'grapevine telegraph' was used during the American Civil War for rapid, often secret, communication of news.
Yes, almost always. The standard phrases are 'on/through/via the grapevine'. Omitting the article ('on grapevine') is grammatically incorrect and not idiomatic.
The climbing plant that produces grapes.
Grapevine: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡreɪpvaɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡreɪpvaɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hear something on/through the grapevine”
- “the grapevine has it that...”
- “it's all over the grapevine”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine grapes hanging from a twisting vine. Just as the vine connects all the grapes, the 'grapevine' connects people who spread news from one to another.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMATION IS A PLANT; RUMORS ARE FRUIT GROWING ON A VINE (that spreads and connects people).
Practice
Quiz
What is the MOST COMMON modern meaning of 'grapevine'?