word-of-mouth

1 of 2

adjective

ˌwərd-ə(v)-ˈmau̇th 

: orally communicated

also : generated from or reliant on oral publicity

word-of-mouth customers

a word-of-mouth business

word of mouth

2 of 2

noun phrase

: oral communication

especially : oral often inadvertent publicity

Synonyms of word-of-mouth

Adjective

• oral
• verbal

Examples of word-of-mouth in a Sentence

Adjective

not having the money to run ads, the restaurant relies on word-of-mouth publicity

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Opening on February 27, 2026, with around 400 screenings, the film benefitted from strong word-of-mouth and within three days was extended to more than 1,200 screenings. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2026

The internet was nascent so the rumor spread via word-of-mouth. — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Noun phrase

Interest in their use as wellness supplements has built through word of mouth, fueled by positive reports from podcasters, influencers and alternative medicine providers impressed with the peptides’ effects on themselves or clients. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026

Departments still leaned on auctions and word of mouth, and new trucks had only gotten harder to come by. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1817, in the meaning defined above

Noun Phrase

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

word of mouth

: spoken communication