loshon hara

Meaning

• prohibited harmful speech about another person
• negative or damaging gossip

Alternate spellings

lashon hara, lashon hora, loshon hora

Usage and context

In Jewish law, the term can include harmful negative information even when it is true; false damaging speech is treated under related but distinct rules. Context and permitted purposes matter.

Example in Yeshivish

We should not repeat that; it may be loshon hara.

Plain-English example

We should not repeat that; it may be prohibited harmful gossip.