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

That’s the sign of a movie with word-of-mouth, with longevity, and with real impact on the industry that only a handful of such movies of its size can boast. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026

The company says most people find them through word-of-mouth referrals or through community events. — Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Noun phrase

The film is Certified Fresh at 95% on Rotten Tomatoes with a 92% audience score, excellent exits and great word of mouth across age demos. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Aug. 2026

Dadiba Pundole, who owns one of Mumbai’s oldest commercial art spaces, Pundole Art Gallery, and is recognized for his expertise on Indian modernism, believes that a lack of scholarship has led to a reliance on word of mouth. — News Desk, Artforum, 20 Aug. 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