grapevine

USAGE SUMMARY

'grapevine' is a perfectly acceptable word in written English.
You can use it as a noun to refer to a network of informal communication, or metaphorically to talk about a rumour, news, or information that has been spread through gossip or through an informal network. Example: The grapevine is buzzing with the news of the company's new project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But this isn't just any piece of wood: it is the oldest grapevine on Earth, as certified by Guinness World Records.

The Guardian - Travel

On Seventh St, the Grand's pergola flows with gnarled crimson grapevine and its courtyards are dotted with Italianate fountains.

The Guardian

Later, the funeral procession was applauded by those along its route.In this section Tata for now Long shadows Raising a class Candid camera Green and pressured land Heard it through the grapevine Darling snarling?

The Economist

Through the migrant grapevine, they know that jobs are drying up several months before government statisticians notice".Exceptional People" is packed with surprising insights.

The Economist

Mr Darling also points out some related weaknesses in Ed Balls, who was then Mr Brown's right-hand man and is now shadow chancellor: Mr Balls was "not always easy to work with," he says temperately, and (shock) prone to forming cabals.In this section Tata for now Long shadows Raising a class Candid camera Green and pressured land Heard it through the grapevine Darling snarling?

The Economist

And the immigrant workforce is largely Hispanic, since Jurgis Rudkus's great-grandchildren prefer to work in offices.Those market signalsNews about jobs spreads quickly through the Hispanic grapevine.

The Economist

Mr Dewan insists that secrecy is pointless: people soon learn what other folk earn via an internal grapevine.

The Economist

Our article on English wine ("Heard it through the grapevine", September 10th 2011) wrongly stated that France produced 5 trillion bottles of wine last year.

The Economist

This month Land Rover launched the Evoque, a mini sports-utility vehicle, which attracted 20,000 orders before it even went on sale.In this section Tata for now Long shadows Raising a class Candid camera Green and pressured land Heard it through the grapevine Darling snarling?

The Economist

Then he heard on the grapevine about a company in the Bay Area called Accelovation that was doing just that.Accelovation's technology powers Elsevier's new search engine, Illumin8.com, went live this week.

The Economist

Although your columnist was too busy at CES to attend the porn expo, he heard on the grapevine that 3-D television was creating great excitement there, too.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grapevine" to describe information, consider the connotation of informality and potential unreliability. It's best used when the source is not official or verified.

Common error

Avoid making critical decisions based solely on information from the "grapevine". Always verify information from unofficial sources with official channels.

Linguistic Context

The noun "grapevine" primarily functions as a metaphor for an informal means of circulating information or gossip. Ludwig AI confirms this aligns with common usage, as seen in examples where it denotes unofficial communication channels.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the noun "grapevine" serves as a metaphor for informal communication networks, typically used when information is spread unofficially. Ludwig AI's analysis and the numerous examples confirm that it is a widely used term across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While generally neutral, it's important to consider the connotation of informality and potential unreliability when using "grapevine". Alternatives such as "word of mouth" or "informal network" may be more appropriate in formal settings. Always verify information obtained through the "grapevine" before making critical decisions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the grapevine says

Directly attributes information to the informal source.

word of mouth

Focuses on the direct, spoken transfer of information.

rumor mill

Emphasizes the uncontrolled and potentially inaccurate spread of rumors.

bush telegraph

Implies a less formal, often rural, network of communication.

jungle telegraph

Similar to "bush telegraph" but suggests a more remote or less organized network.

informal network

A more general term for unofficial channels of communication.

unofficial channels

Highlights that the communication is not sanctioned or formal.

scuttlebutt

Refers to gossip or rumors, especially within an organization.

back channels

Implies secret or private communication routes.

leaked information

Suggests that the information was deliberately released, possibly without authorization.

FAQs

How can I use "grapevine" in a sentence?

You can use "grapevine" to describe the way information spreads informally. For example, "I heard through the "grapevine" that the company is planning layoffs".

What's a more formal alternative to "grapevine"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "informal communication network" or "unofficial channels of information" instead of ""grapevine"".

Is information from the "grapevine" reliable?

Information from the ""grapevine"" is often unverified and should be treated with caution. Always seek confirmation from official sources.

What's the difference between "grapevine" and "rumor mill"?

"Grapevine" refers to any informal communication network, while "rumor mill" specifically implies the spread of potentially inaccurate or exaggerated rumors.