a disgraceful action or event: his negligence was a scandal censure or outrage arising from an action or event a person whose conduct causes reproach or disgrace malicious talk, esp gossip about the private lives of other people a libellous action or statement
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
scan•dal /ˈskændəl/USA pronunciation
n.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- a disgraceful action or circumstance:[countable]Several scandals rocked the government.
- public disgrace:[uncountable]This administration can't afford scandal.
- gossip intended to harm others:[uncountable]spreading scandal all over town.
scan•dal
(skan′dl),USA pronunciation n., v., -daled, -dal•ing or (esp. Brit.) -dalled, -dal•ling.
n.
v.t.
n.
- a disgraceful or discreditable action, circumstance, etc.
- an offense caused by a fault or misdeed.
- damage to reputation;
public disgrace. - defamatory talk;
malicious gossip. - a person whose conduct brings disgrace or offense.
v.t.
- British Termsto defame (someone) by spreading scandal.
- [Obs.]to disgrace.
- Late Latin, as above
- Old French (north) escandle
- Late Greek skándalon snare, cause of moral stumbling; replacing Middle English scandle
- Late Latin scandalum
- 1175–1225
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged discredit, dishonor, shame, disrepute, opprobrium, ignominy.
- 4.See corresponding entry in Unabridged slander, calumny, aspersion, obloquy. See gossip.
- 4.See corresponding entry in Unabridged honor, praise.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'create a scandal' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):