slander

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another
  2. noun an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
  3. verb charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone

Etymology

From Middle English slaundre, sclaundre, from Old French esclandre, from Ecclesiastical Latin scandalum (“stumbling block, temptation”), from Ancient Greek σκάνδαλον (skándalon, “scandal”). Doublet of scandal.

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