Innuendo Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Innuendo, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Innuendo?

History and Meaning of Innuendo

Innuendo is a Latin word that means "to point indirectly," and in the legal context, it refers to an insinuation or indirect suggestion about a person or issue. In defamation lawsuits, innuendo is often used to establish that the defendant made a false and damaging statement about the plaintiff, even if the statement was not explicitly defamatory.

For example, if someone says, "I heard that John was seen coming out of a strip club," this statement could be considered defamatory if it is intended to suggest that John engages in immoral behavior, even if there is no evidence to support this claim. This is known as a defamatory innuendo.

Examples of Innuendo

Here are a few examples of how the term innuendo might be used in various contexts:

• The politician's speech was filled with innuendo about his opponent's alleged ties to foreign governments.
• The gossip column in the newspaper was filled with innuendo about the celebrity couple's relationship troubles.
• The detective's questioning was filled with innuendo, trying to get the suspect to admit to the crime indirectly.
• The comedian's jokes were filled with innuendo, hinting at risqué topics without actually saying anything explicit.

Legal Terms Similar to Innuendo

Some legal terms related to innuendo include:

• Slander: spoken defamation that harms a person's reputation
• Libel: written defamation that harms a person's reputation
• Malice: the intent to harm someone through one's actions or statements
• Tort: a civil offense that causes harm to a person or their property.