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

Netflix could have another word-of-mouth hit on its hands with His & Hers. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026

Thanks to great word-of-mouth, the psychological thriller is expected to end its theatrical run with $225 million to $275 million worldwide, a huge result at a trying time for mid-budget films. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 15 Jan. 2026

Noun phrase

Suzanne Ellingham, Source Fashion’s event director, credits much of the increase in attendance to word of mouth. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 22 Jan. 2026

This Canadian export written and directed by Ian Tuason already debuted at last summer’s Fantasia International Film Festival and is preceded by strong word of mouth — the best kind, from people who tell me they don’t want to watch it at midnight and then go back to chilly condos. —Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 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