defame

/dɪˈfeɪm/

//dɪˈfeɪm// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"defame" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“defame” is an uncommon English word, ranked #51,058 in English word frequency and used as a verb.

#51,058
frequency rank, English
6
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To disgrace; to bring into disrepute.

Key facts for defame
PropertyValue
Headworddefame
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/dɪˈfeɪm/
Letters6
Frequency rank#51,058
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “defame” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). defame lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for defame is 6 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /dɪˈfeɪm/. Corpus data places it at rank #51,058 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 3 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

The misspelling generator found no plausible variants for defame, a straightforward case of a spelling with little room for common typos. This entry stands alone in our confusable dataset, since its spelling is unusual enough that it doesn't cluster with a lookalike.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English defamen, from Anglo-Norman defamer (verb), defame (noun), and its source, Latin diffāmō, from fāma (“fame; rumour; reputation”). The correct English form is defame, spelled D-E-F-A-M-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    To disgrace; to bring into disrepute.
  2. 2
    To charge; to accuse (someone) of an offence.
  3. 3
    To harm or diminish the reputation of; to disparage.

Etymology

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

Synonyms

assassinateaspersebackbitebadmouthbefoulbelibelbesmirchbesmearbewrayblackenblameblazeblemishblotblurcalumniatecalumnychat shitchat shiteclouddefamedemonizedenigratedepravedepreciatedetractdirtydiscreditdisgracedisparagedisreputedissdrag through the mudforgabforspeakfoulinfamizelampoonlibelmalignmonsterizemuddyreproachrevilescandalshit-talkslagslandersmearsmirchspatterspotspeak ill ofstabstainsullytalk shittalk shitetalk trashtarnishtorchtraducetrash-talkunflattervilifyvilipendvillainizewrong

Antonyms

flatterpraisestand up for

This word in other languages

difamar(Español)diffamer(Français)diffamieren(Deutsch)difamar(Português)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "defame"?
"defame" is spelled D-E-F-A-M-E. The IPA pronunciation is /dɪˈfeɪm/.
What does "defame" mean?
As a verb, "defame" means: To disgrace; to bring into disrepute.
How do you pronounce "defame"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "defame" is /dɪˈfeɪm/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "defame"?
From Middle English defamen, from Anglo-Norman defamer (verb), defame (noun), and its source, Latin diffāmō, from fāma (“fame; rumour; reputation”). See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “defame”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is D-E-F-A-M-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /dɪˈfeɪm/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list