# libel

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈlaɪbəl/ · frequency rank #18,606

## Definitions
1. A written or pictorial false statement which unjustly seeks to damage someone's reputation.
2. The act or tort of displaying such a statement publicly.
3. Any defamatory writing; a lampoon; a satire.
4. A written declaration or statement by the plaintiff of their cause of action, and of the relief they seek.
5. A brief writing of any kind, especially a declaration, bill, certificate, request, supplication, etc.

## Etymology
From Middle English libel, from Old French libelle, from Latin libellus (“petition”, literally “booklet”). Doublet of libelle.

## Easily confused with
- **lie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libel-vs-lie)
- **lil** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libel-vs-lil)
- **like** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libel-vs-like)
- **life** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libel-vs-life)
- **live** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libel-vs-live)
- **line** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libel-vs-line)
- **lies** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libel-vs-lies)
- **lied** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libel-vs-lied)
- **lime** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libel-vs-lime)
- **lite** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libel-vs-lite)
- **lieu** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libel-vs-lieu)
- **lobe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libel-vs-lobe)
- **lice** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libel-vs-lice)
- **lien** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libel-vs-lien)
- **lube** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libel-vs-lube)
- **lire** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libel-vs-lire)
- **Lise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libel-vs-lise)
- **lives** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libel-vs-lives)
- **lines** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libel-vs-lines)
- **lived** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libel-vs-lived)

## Common misspellings (7)
`ilbel`, `lbiel`, `libbel`, `libell`, `lible`, `liebl`, `llibel`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/libel