Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

defame

/dɪˈfeɪm/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.53 in modern English

Syllables
de-fame
IPA
/dɪˈfeɪm/
12
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To disgrace; to bring into disrepute.

verb

To charge; to accuse (someone) of an offence.

verb

To harm or diminish the reputation of; to disparage.

noun

Disgrace, dishonour.

Archaic; Countable; Uncountable

noun

Defamation; slander, libel.

Archaic; Countable; Uncountable

adj

Synonym of defamed.

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English defamen, from Anglo-Norman defamer (verb), defame (noun), and its source, Latin diffāmō, from fāma (“fame; rumour; reputation”).

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • British English: /dɪˈfeɪm/

Usage

Inflected Forms

defames (present, singular) defaming (participle, present) defamed (participle, past) defamed (past) defames (plural)

Derived Forms

defamingly defamous undefamed

Frequently Paired Words

defamatory defamation deride shame tattle demean offend

Synonyms

discredit dishonour humiliate abase bring down to size cut down to size debase defame degrade demean demote depress

Antonyms

flatter praise stand up for

Rhymes With

same game name came became claim blame frame shame aim fame flame

Questions

How do you pronounce defame?
The recorded pronunciation is /dɪˈfeɪm/.
What does defame mean?
To disgrace; to bring into disrepute.
Where does defame come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce defame

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “defame”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/dɪˈfeɪm/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “defame”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “defame” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.