grapevine

noun

grape·​vine ˈgrāp-ˌvīn 

1

: grape sense 2

2

a

: an informal person-to-person means of circulating information or gossip

heard it through the grapevine

b

: a secret source of information

Examples of grapevine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Except Himmelstein tends to use her grapevine powers to mainly help out Dr. Tom Cole, a British second-year surgery resident. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025

Divided into three parts—Reading Vines, Reading Landscapes, and Reading Wines—the book explores wine from its roots in grapevine domestication to the complex interplay of terroir, culture, and taste. —Jessica Dupuy, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

Now, after learning of their daughter's pregnancy through the grapevine, her parents have reached out, telling her that Luna isn't in the picture anymore. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025

Manchester’s grapevine is a strong one. —Andy Mitten, The Athletic, 2 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1736, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for grapevine

• acridine
• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• atropine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine

Kids Definition

grapevine

noun

grape·​vine ˈgrāp-ˌvīn 

1

: grape sense 2

2

: an unofficial means of spreading information or gossip from person to person

Geographical Definition

Grapevine

geographical name

Grape·​vine ˈgrāp-ˌvīn 

city in northern Texas northeast of Fort Worth population 46,334