Dictionary

1scandal

noun scan·dal \ˈskan-dəl\

: an occurrence in which people are shocked and upset because of behavior that is morally or legally wrong

: talk about the shocking or immoral things that people have done or are believed to have done

: something that is shocking, upsetting, or unacceptable

Full Definition of SCANDAL

1
a :  discredit brought upon religion by unseemly conduct in a religious person
b :  conduct that causes or encourages a lapse of faith or of religious obedience in another
2
:  loss of or damage to reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety :  disgrace
3
a :  a circumstance or action that offends propriety or established moral conceptions or disgraces those associated with it
b :  a person whose conduct offends propriety or morality <a scandal to the profession>
4
:  malicious or defamatory gossip
5
:  indignation, chagrin, or bewilderment brought about by a flagrant violation of morality, propriety, or religious opinion
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Origin of SCANDAL

Middle English, from Late Latin scandalum stumbling block, offense, from Greek skandalon trap, stumbling block, offense; akin to Latin scandere to climb
First Known Use: 13th century

Related to SCANDAL

Synonym Discussion of SCANDAL

offense, resentment, umbrage, pique, dudgeon, huff mean an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity. offense implies hurt displeasure <takes deep offense at racial slurs>. resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will <harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother>. umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives <took umbrage at the offer of advice>. pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity <in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation>. dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation <stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon>. huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause <in a huff he slammed the door>.

offense, sin, vice, crime, scandal mean a transgression of law. offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code <at that school no offense went unpunished>. sin implies an offense against moral or religious law <the sin of blasphemy>. vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts <regarded gambling as a vice>. crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state <the crime of murder>. scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience <a career ruined by a sex scandal>.

Rhymes with SCANDAL

2scandal

transitive verb

Definition of SCANDAL

1
obsolete :  disgrace
2
chiefly dialect :  defame, slander

First Known Use of SCANDAL

1592
SCANDAL Defined for Kids

scandal

noun scan·dal \ˈskan-dəl\

Definition of SCANDAL for Kids

1
:  something that angers or shocks people because rules or standards of behavior are violated
2
:  talk that injures a person's good name

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2 ENTRIES FOUND:
Next Word in the Dictionary: scandalisePrevious Word in the Dictionary: ScandahoovianAll Words Near: scandal
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