Words / B1

SKANDL/ˈskændl/

A scandal shocks the public because of dishonest or immoral behaviour: a political scandal; a financial scandal; scandal broke when… Controversy is public disagreement and may not involve wrongdoing. Gossip is smaller and more personal. Scandalous is the adjective. Tabloids love scandals; broadsheets may still lead with them. Do not call a simple mistake a scandal unless people see it as a serious abuse of trust.

Meaning

An event that shocks people because it involves dishonest or immoral behaviour.

Examples

• “The expenses scandal damaged public trust in the party.”
• “The expenses scandal led to several MPs standing down.”
• “It became a scandal when emails showed the test results had been changed.”

Good to know

a political / financial scandal; scandal broke. Public row without crime: controversy. Adjective: scandalous. Small personal talk: gossip.

Near in meaning

controversy

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