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

Start with grapevine wreath forms, which require no wire or tape to hold greenery. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026

Part of the issue involved the grapevines’ own defense mechanism. —Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026

Braiding The braiding exercise—sometimes called the grapevine or karaoke exercise—is an advanced balance activity. —Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 25 Dec. 2025

There are enough grapevines to make three or four cases of wine, Hass Gupta said. —David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 20 Dec. 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