noun
hearsay
HEER-say
Hearsay (noun) means Information passed along secondhand that hasn't been confirmed or verified. Example: “The rumor was just hearsay — nobody had actually seen it happen.”
noun
1
Information passed along secondhand that hasn't been confirmed or verified.
"The rumor was just hearsay — nobody had actually seen it happen."
2
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- hearsays
Fill the gap
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The rumor was just _____ — nobody had actually seen it happen.
Etymology
From the old phrase "to hear [people] say," compressed over time into the single word hearsay.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for hearsay
See all rhymes for hearsay →Frequently asked questions
What does “hearsay” mean?
The word “hearsay” means information passed along secondhand that hasn't been confirmed or verified. In plain terms, unverified information passed on by word of mouth, or (legally) secondhand testimony usually barred as evidence.
How do you pronounce “hearsay”?
“Hearsay” is pronounced HEER-say (/ˈhɪɹˌseɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hearsay” in a sentence?
Here is “hearsay” used in a sentence: “The rumor was just hearsay — nobody had actually seen it happen.”
What is another word for “hearsay”?
Words with a similar meaning to “hearsay” include gossip, report and rumor.
What part of speech is “hearsay”?
“Hearsay” is a noun.
How many meanings does “hearsay” have?
“Hearsay” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: information passed along secondhand that hasn't been confirmed or verified.
