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

All three newcomers have great reviews and could exceed expectations with positive word-of-mouth. — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026

For example, the debut feature from Nitya López Saitua in Zinemira, Family Drill, a project fuelled by word-of-mouth buzz across northern Spain. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026

Noun phrase

There are plenty of people who have never listened to country radio who are finding it through pop radio or social media or word of mouth or even through Drake’s languid remake featuring Don Toliver (though Langley’s cameo is now out of the video). — Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2026

Families in the suburb had been comparing notes and counting Ewing sarcoma cases connected to their community through Facebook groups and word of mouth. — Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 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