Word
hearsay
US/ˈhiɹˌseɪ/
UK/hˈiəseɪ/
Definitions
01rumour or gossip
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. information or news you have heard from other people but cannot prove is true.
n. information received from other people that one cannot adequately substantiate; often functions as a synonym for rumour or gossip in non-technical contexts.
“I don't want to judge him based on mere hearsay; I need to see the facts for myself.”
“The journalist refused to publish the story, arguing that it was based entirely on hearsay and lacked any verifiable primary sources.”
02inadmissible legal evidence
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Law Technical · Formal
n. a statement made outside of court that is usually not allowed as evidence because the person who said it is not there to be questioned.
n. an out-of-court statement offered in court to prove the truth of the matter asserted; such evidence is generally inadmissible unless it meets specific statutory exceptions.
“The judge told the jury to ignore the witness's comment because it was hearsay.”
“The prosecution's case faltered when the key testimony was ruled as hearsay, as the declarant was unavailable for cross-examination.”
Usage
Usually functions as an uncountable noun and is frequently preceded by the word 'mere'.
Teaching tip
While used in everyday English to mean 'gossip', in a legal context it has a very specific definition regarding the reliability of evidence.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“They often hold court in ad hoc rooms around the state and, under state law, they are allowed to accept hearsay evidence.” Etymology
From Middle English hyere-zigginge (1340), here sey (ca. 1438), from the phrase heren seien (“to hear [people] say”). Compare equally old Middle High German hœrsagen (14th c.), whence modern Hörensagen.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/hearsay