traduce: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Literary
Quick answer
What does “traduce” mean?
To speak maliciously and falsely of.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To speak maliciously and falsely of; to slander or defame.
To damage or betray someone's reputation by misrepresentation or false statements.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Rare in both varieties; slightly more likely to be encountered in British formal or legal contexts.
Connotations
Strongly negative; carries a weight of moral condemnation. Slightly archaic feel in both dialects.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency word (C2 level); predominantly found in historical texts, formal polemics, or high-register journalism.
Grammar
How to Use “traduce” in a Sentence
traduce [someone/something]traduce [someone] as [noun phrase]be traduced by [someone]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “traduce” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He felt his entire career had been traduced by the sensationalist press.
- It is a grave matter to traduce the honour of a knight.
American English
- The politician claimed his opponent's ads were designed to traduce his character.
- She sued the paper for traducing her reputation with false allegations.
adverb
British English
- [No direct adverb form. Use phrases like 'in a traducing manner'.] He spoke traducingly of his former ally.
American English
- [No direct adverb form. Use phrases like 'with traducing intent'.] The biography was written traducingly.
adjective
British English
- [No direct adjective form. Use 'traduced' as participle.] The traduced minister resigned in protest.
American English
- [No direct adjective form. Use 'traduced' as participle.] He sought damages for his traduced name.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could appear in formal complaints about reputational damage: 'The article traduced the company's ethical standing.'
Academic
Used in historical, legal, or literary criticism discussing character assassination.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Possible in legal contexts regarding libel or defamation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “traduce”
- Using it to mean 'translate' (a common false friend).
- Confusing it with 'traduce' as a noun (it is only a verb).
- Using it in an informal context where 'bad-mouth' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word most often found in literary, historical, or legal contexts.
No, this is a common false friend. 'Traduce' exclusively means to speak falsely or maliciously of someone. The word for 'translate' is simply 'translate'.
The related noun is 'traducement' (rare) or more commonly, 'defamation', 'slander', or 'calumny'.
'Slander' is specifically spoken defamation, while 'traduce' can refer to damage via speech or writing and carries a more formal, literary tone.
To speak maliciously and falsely of.
Traduce is usually formal, literary in register.
Traduce: in British English it is pronounced /trəˈdjuːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /trəˈduːs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to traduce someone's good name”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TRUCE' is in 'traduce'. Breaking a truce is a betrayal, just as traducing someone betrays their reputation.
Conceptual Metaphor
REPUTATION IS A STRUCTURE / REPUTATION IS A VALUABLE OBJECT (to traduce is to damage or tarnish it).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'traduce'?