noun

hearsay

HEER-say

noun

Information passed along secondhand that hasn't been confirmed or verified.

"The rumor was just hearsay — nobody had actually seen it happen."

In law, an out-of-court statement offered as evidence, generally not admissible because it cannot be cross-examined.

"The judge ruled the witness's statement inadmissible as hearsay."

How to Use Hearsay

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUnverified information passed on by word of mouth, or (legally) secondhand testimony usually barred as evidence.

Common pairings

mere hearsay hearsay evidence based on hearsay

hearsays plural

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The rumor was just _____ — nobody had actually seen it happen.

From the old phrase "to hear [people] say," compressed over time into the single word hearsay.

gossip report rumor

nonsense say gossip talk report rumor bang describe

ay may day say ray hay lay pay jay way yay nay

gossip report rumor nonsense say talk bang describe