hearsay

noun

hear·​say ˈhir-ˌsā 

1

: rumor

… like the hearsays bandied about by the medievalists …

—S. N. Behrman

2

law : hearsay evidence

Synonyms of hearsay

• rumor

Examples of hearsay in a Sentence

You can't judge them solely on the basis of hearsay.

They're supposedly getting married soon, but that's just hearsay.

Recent Examples on the Web

Calm sea and prosperous voyage—a dream for Goethe and Mendelssohn, for any parent, and perhaps for all men and women—was but a hearsay. — Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026

Whether the episode amounted to anything beyond hearsay amid the ubiquitous sense of mass confusion and despair remains a question mark. — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton have nothing but love for each other, despite internet hearsay. — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026

District Attorney James Stainton objected that the answer would call for hearsay. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1532, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hearsay

• hearsay evidence

Rhymes for hearsay

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway

Kids Definition

hearsay

noun

hear·​say ˈhi(ə)r-ˌsā 

1

: something heard from another : rumor

2

: hearsay evidence

Legal Definition

hearsay

noun

hear·​say ˈhir-ˌsā 

: a statement made out of court and not under oath which is offered as proof that what is stated is true

called also hearsay evidence