Also known as: defamatory meanings · defamatory sense · defamatory interpretation
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
The interpretation that reasonable recipients give to a statement in context. This understanding fixes whether the communication carries a reputation-harming implication even if the speaker privately intended something milder or the words admit multiple readings.
At Roberto's Bistro, head chef Carla told line cooks that manager Mason steals tips straight off their tables. Some cooks understood the words as a literal accusation of theft while others heard only a gripe about the tip pool. Mason's defamation claim turns on whether a reasonable cook in that setting would take Carla's statement as charging criminal conduct.
During an insurance-company training, regional manager Dana said former agent Lucas forged half his applications. Some attendees understood the remark as accusing criminal document forgery while others viewed it as loose criticism of sloppy paperwork. Lucas's defamation action depends on the meaning a reasonable attendee would assign to the words in that context.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
In a factory-town bar, supervisor Maria told coworkers that line worker Luis was selling proprietary designs out the back door. Some patrons took the statement as charging literal theft while others heard only a complaint about online joking. Luis's defamation claim hinges on the meaning a reasonable listener in the bar would attribute to Maria's words.
The meaning is fixed by what a reasonable recipient would understand the words to convey in context. The speaker's private intention does not control. A reasonable but mistaken understanding can still supply the operative meaning.
Supporting sources
No. Only a reasonable recipient's understanding counts. An odd or strained reading by one listener will not establish the legal meaning of the communication.
Supporting sources
The Restatement lists the recipient's understanding of the communication's defamatory meaning as an element the plaintiff must prove. The jury decides whether the statement was so understood.
Supporting sources
…"(b) Its publication by the defendant; "(c) Its application to the plaintiff; "(d) The recipient's understanding of its defamatory meaning; "(e) The recipient's understanding of it as intended to be applied to the plaintiff; "(f) Special harm resulting to the plaintiff from its publication; "(g) Abuse of a…