Words / C1

di-FAYM/dɪˈfeɪm/

To defame is to damage someone’s reputation by saying or writing something false: defame an officer, a defamatory remark. Fame (already in the dictionary) is the public name, not this verb; “banter” is not an incident file.

Meaning

To damage someone’s reputation by saying or writing something false (from fame, already in the dictionary).

Examples

• “Corridor talk that defames a night officer is an incident file, not “banter”.”
• “Slander is the spoken twin. Libel is the written twin. Banter is a slogan. A dated line is a file. Log the remark; save banter for the newsletter if the officer still consents.”

Good to know

Damage a reputation with falsehood. Noun: fame (already in the dictionary). “Banter” ≠ an incident log.

Near in meaning

slander, libel, smear

New