scandal

UK: /ˈskænd^əl/ US: /ˈskændəl/ ,(skan′dl)

Inflections of 'scandal' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

When both "l" and "ll" forms exist, spellings with a double "l" are correct, but rare, in US English, while those with a single "l" are not correct in UK English.

scandals

v 3rd person singular

scandalling

v pres p (Mainly UK)

scandaling

v pres p (US)

scandalled

v past (Mainly UK)

scandaled

v past (US)

scandalled

v past p (Mainly UK)

scandaled

v past p (US)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

scan•dal /ˈskændəl/   n. 

1. a disgraceful action or circumstance:
   [countable] Several scandals rocked the government.
2. public disgrace:
   [uncountable] This administration can't afford scandal.
3. gossip intended to harm others:
   [uncountable] spreading scandal all over town.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

scan•dal  (skan′dl), n., v., -daled, -dal•ing or (esp. Brit.) -dalled, -dal•ling. 
n. 

1. a disgraceful or discreditable action, circumstance, etc.
2. an offense caused by a fault or misdeed.
3. damage to reputation;
   public disgrace.
4. defamatory talk;
   malicious gossip.
5. a person whose conduct brings disgrace or offense.

v.t. 

6. British Terms to defame (someone) by spreading scandal.
7. [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

Synonyms

• 3. discredit, dishonor, shame, disrepute, opprobrium, ignominy.
• 4. slander, calumny, aspersion, obloquy. See gossip. 

Antonyms

• 4. honor, praise.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

scandal / ˈskænd^əl/ noun

1. a disgraceful action or event: his negligence was a scandal
2. censure or outrage arising from an action or event
3. a person whose conduct causes reproach or disgrace
4. malicious talk, esp gossip about the private lives of other people
5. a libellous action or statement

Etymology: 16th Century: from Late Latin scandalum stumbling block, from Greek skandalon a trap

ˈscandalous adjective

ˈscandalously adverb