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Plagiarism: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Plagiarism noun. Passing off someone else's words or ideas as one's own.
How to say it
PLAY-juh-riz-um/ˈpleɪdʒərɪz(ə)m/
4 syllables, stressed on the first (PLAY). Forms: plagiarise, plagiarised, plagiarist.
Plagiarism in a sentence
The essay was flagged for plagiarism when whole paragraphs matched a website.
Accused of plagiarism, the songwriter pointed out that the tune was three hundred years old.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- copying
- piracy
- theft
- cribbing
Opposite:
- originality
Where plagiarism comes from
From Latin plagiarius, a kidnapper, which the Roman poet Martial used of someone passing off his verses.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
Accused of _____, the songwriter pointed out that the tune was three hundred years old.
- plagiarism
- bibliophage
- synopsis
Show the answer
plagiarism: Accused of plagiarism, the songwriter pointed out that the tune was three hundred years old.