libel
LYE-buhl
/ˈlaɪbəl/
A published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation; written defamation.
Libel refers to defamation in a permanent form, such as print, writing, pictures, or broadcasts.
The story behind the word. Libel comes from the Latin 'libellus', the diminutive of 'liber' (book), meaning 'little book' or 'pamphlet'. In early English law, it referred to a written statement of a plaintiff's case, which later evolved to mean any written defamatory statement.
Word relationships
- defamation: Defamation is the umbrella term for both spoken (slander) and written (libel) attacks on reputation.
- vindication: Vindication clears someone of blame or suspicion, while libel falsely accuses them.
Commonly confused with
- slander: Libel is written or permanent; slander is spoken and transient.
Word family
- libelous (adjective): Containing or constituting a libel.
Collocations
- libel laws
- sue for libel
- actionable libel
Example sentences
- "The celebrity won a major libel suit against the tabloid newspaper that published false stories about his private life." Media lawsuit
Memory hook
Libel starts with 'L' for 'Library' (written books). Written lies in a library book.
When not to use
Do not use libel to describe spoken rumors that were never recorded or published.
Fun facts
- Under English common law, libel was once treated as a criminal offense because written insults were thought to provoke duels and breach the peace.
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.