by word of mouth — through spoken communication from person to person, not through written media or formal advertising
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: through spoken communication from person to person, not through written media or formal advertising
Pronunciation (IPA): /baɪ wɜːrd ʌv maʊθ/
Example Sentences
- The new bubble tea shop became famous by word of mouth - no advertising needed!
- My grandmother's secret recipe spread by word of mouth, and now half the neighborhood makes her kimchi.
- He got the job by word of mouth - his friend's cousin knew someone who worked there.
by word of mouth
NOUN[/baɪ wɜːrd ʌv maʊθ/]
through spoken communication from person to person, not through written media or formal advertising
a woman leans forward excitedly while speaking to two friends at a small round table. She gestures enthusiastically as she shares news, her mouth open mid-sentence with an expression of excitement. One friend immediately turns to whisper the same information to a person at the neighboring table. That person then stands up and walks toward another group, clearly eager to share what they just heard. Other customers throughout the coffee shop are engaged in similar animated conversations, creating a chain of spoken communication. information being passed through spoken communication from person to person, not through written media or formal advertising
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This phrase originates from Old English and describes the literal transmission of information through spoken words from one's mouth. Before the advent of printing and mass media, oral communication was the primary means of disseminating information across communities.
Breakdown
word (speech, utterance) + mouth (the organ of speech) = communication transmitted directly through spoken utterance rather than written or mediated form.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The new bubble tea shop became famous by word of mouth - no advertising needed!”
“My grandmother's secret recipe spread by word of mouth, and now half the neighborhood makes her kimchi.”
“He got the job by word of mouth - his friend's cousin knew someone who worked there.”
“The rumor about free pizza spread by word of mouth so fast that 200 students showed up!”
📚Related Words
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