Basic Details
Word: Libel
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A false statement in writing or print that damages a person's good name; also the offence of publishing such a statement.
Synonyms: defamation, slur
Sounds like: liable (legally responsible for something; likely to do something)
Word origin: Comes from Latin libellus, a little book; at first it meant any formal written statement.
How to Spell Libel
Syllables: li - bel
Tricky part: It ends in el, not le or al, and has a single b. Do not mix it up with liable, which has an a and means legally responsible.
Watch out for: lible, libal, libbel
Memory tip: A libel is a LIe that BELittles someone in print: li from lie, bel from belittle.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The actor said the magazine story about him was pure libel.
Example 2: Editors check every line carefully so that the paper is not sued for libel.
Example 3: She won her libel case and the website had to remove the false article.
Fun Fact
English law separates two kinds of defamation: libel is the kind that is written, printed or broadcast, while slander is spoken.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. perjery 2. libel 3. vardict 4. sclander
a) a false written statement that harms someone's good name
b) the decision a jury reaches at the end of a trial
c) a false spoken statement that harms someone's reputation
d) the crime of lying in court after promising to tell the truth
Show answer
a) a false written statement that harms someone's good name. Slander starts with sl, perjury ends in ury and verdict begins ver, so the only word to trust is libel.
Word Connection
Choose the word closest in meaning to libel as used in the sentence:
The cricket captain took the television channel to court for libel over a report that called him a cheat.
a) apology
b) defamation
c) tribute
d) praise
Show answer
b) defamation. Libel damages a person's name, which is what defamation means; praise and tribute are its opposites.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
libbel
a) e
b) b
c) l
d) i
Show answer
b) b. There is only one b in libel: li-bel.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which word, often confused with libel, means legally responsible for something?
a) likeable
b) legible
c) liable
d) lyrical
Show answer
c) liable
2. A newspaper that prints a made-up story ruining a teacher's reputation could be accused of ____.
a) forgery
b) bribery
c) piracy
d) libel
Show answer
d) libel
