slander
C1Formal/Legal
Definition
Meaning
A false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.
The action or crime of making such false statements; to utter such statements about someone.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Specifically refers to spoken, not written, defamation. Implies malice or intent to harm. The noun often refers to the act; the verb to the action of making the statement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Legal definitions are identical, but in the UK, slander and libel were historically distinct torts with different rules; the 2013 Defamation Act simplified this. In the US, laws vary by state but maintain the spoken/written distinction.
Connotations
Strongly negative in both. Slightly more associated with formal, legal contexts in the UK. In US, also common in political/media discourse.
Frequency
Higher frequency in legal and journalistic contexts in both. Comparable general usage frequency.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to slander [someone]to slander [someone] as [something]to be slanderedto accuse [someone] of slanderVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Throw mud (related concept)”
- “Mud sticks (related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in employment disputes, e.g., 'He threatened legal action for slander after the false allegations cost him the promotion.'
Academic
Used in law, media studies, or social sciences discussing defamation, reputation, or ethics.
Everyday
Used seriously to describe damaging lies, e.g., 'Spreading those rumours was pure slander.'
Technical
A specific tort in common law: a transient, defamatory statement published to a third party without lawful justification.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She decided to sue the tabloid after it slandered her in a front-page story.
- You can't just slander a colleague in the canteen and expect no consequences.
American English
- The politician claimed his opponent had slandered him during the debate.
- He was slandered as a fraud on social media.
adverb
British English
- He spoke slanderously of his former business partners.
- The claims were repeated slanderously across multiple platforms.
American English
- The talk show host was accused of speaking slanderously about his guests.
- The statement was made slanderously and with malice.
adjective
British English
- He made a series of slanderous remarks about the company's finances.
- The article was found to contain slanderous allegations.
American English
- The lawsuit was based on what she called a 'slanderous' blog post.
- They fired back with slanderous comments of their own.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- It is wrong to slander other people.
- She was upset by the slander from her classmates.
- The celebrity is suing the magazine for slander over false claims made in an interview.
- Spreading such vicious slander could damage his reputation permanently.
- The company's directors initiated a libel and slander suit to protect their professional standing.
- His defence rested on proving the statement was true, and therefore could not be construed as slander.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SLANDERING SLANDAL: Someone SLANDering with a SLANderous tongue in a SCANDAL.
Conceptual Metaphor
REPUTATION IS A STRUCTURE (slander damages/undermines it). WORDS ARE WEAPONS (slander is a verbal attack).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'клевета' which can cover both libel and slander. English law traditionally distinguishes 'slander' (spoken) from 'libel' (written/broadcast).
- The verb 'to slander' is more specific than 'оболгать' which is broader. 'Slander' requires publication to a third party.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'slander' for written defamation (which is 'libel').
- Using it for mere insult or criticism without the element of falsehood.
- Confusing verb/noun forms: 'He said a slander' (less common) vs. 'He committed slander' or 'His words were slanderous'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the key legal difference between slander and libel in traditional common law?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily a civil wrong (a tort) in most jurisdictions, allowing the victim to sue for damages. In some places, it can also be a criminal offence, but criminal prosecutions are rare.
Slander is defamation in a transient form (e.g., spoken words, gestures). Libel is defamation in a permanent form (e.g., writing, broadcasting, online posts). The distinction has blurred in some modern laws.
Yes, if the statement could reasonably be understood by others to refer to that specific person, it can still be considered slander.
No, a pure statement of opinion (e.g., 'I think he's a bad actor') is generally not slander. Slander requires an assertion of a false fact (e.g., 'He stole money from the production').