Pronunciation: /ˈhɪrsˌeɪ/
noun information that is not based on personal knowledge or observation, but rather on what someone else has said
A1 I heard some hearsay about the new student, but I don't know if it's true.
A2 The rumors spreading around the office are just hearsay until we get more information.
B1 The court cannot rely on hearsay evidence alone to make a decision.
B2 The journalist was careful not to publish any hearsay without verifying the facts.
C1 The lawyer argued that the witness's testimony was based on hearsay and should be dismissed.
C2 In legal proceedings, hearsay is generally not admissible as evidence unless certain exceptions apply.
adjective related to or consisting of hearsay
A1 I heard some hearsay information about the new student.
A2 The story she told me was just hearsay, not based on facts.
B1 The decision was made based on hearsay evidence rather than concrete proof.
B2 The journalist was criticized for publishing hearsay allegations without verifying the sources.
C1 The lawyer argued that the witness's testimony was hearsay and should not be admissible in court.
C2 The committee dismissed the hearsay accusations against the CEO as unsubstantiated rumors.
formal The judge ruled that the evidence presented was hearsay and therefore inadmissible in court.
informal I wouldn't trust that information, it's just hearsay from someone who heard it from someone else.
slang Don't believe everything you hear, it's probably just hearsay.
figurative The rumors spreading around the office were like a game of telephone, turning into exaggerated hearsay.
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