[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/libel/)

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# libel

noun (libel — uncountable; a libel, libels); verb (libel, libels, libelled, libelling — UK; libeled, libeling — US)

«libel» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (law) A false written or published statement that damages a person's good name. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/libel/#m1)
2. (verb) To publish something false that harms someone's reputation. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/libel/#m2)

### In the lessons

In law and the news: people sue newspapers for libel. It is linked to honesty and ethics: saying untrue harmful things about someone is wrong and can be against the law. Libel is written (or in print, online, on TV); slander is spoken.

### Examples

- The singer sued the newspaper for libel. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/libel/#x1)
- Writing lies about someone online can be libel. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/libel/#x2)
- The judge said the article was a libel. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/libel/#x3)
- He was accused of libelling his neighbour. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/libel/#x4)
- Truth is a defence against libel. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/libel/#x5)
- The paper had to pay a large sum for the libel. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/libel/#x6)

### Note

Do not confuse with «label» (a tag with information) or «liable» (responsible by law). Libel = written; slander = spoken; both are called defamation. UK spelling doubles l: libelled.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «libel» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/libel/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«libel» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/libel.html) on Mova free.