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Definition of plagiarism

plagiarism

/ˈpleɪ.dʒə.ɹɪz.əm/
pla · gia · rism
Adverb:plagiaristically
•
Plural:plagiarisms
•
Adjective:plagiaristic
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plagiarism Lexical Profile

plagiarism Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The practice of taking someone else's work, words, or ideas and passing them off as one's own without proper attribution.

Example

"The university has a strict policy against academic dishonesty and plagiarism."

2

A piece of writing, music, or other creative work that has been copied from someone else and presented as being one's own.

Example

"Critics quickly exposed the novel as a blatant plagiarism of an earlier nineteenth-century work."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

placidly
placoderm
plagianthus
plagiarism
plagiarist
plagiaristic
plagiarization

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 17th century from the Latin word 'plagiarius', meaning 'kidnapper' or 'plunderer' (derived from 'plaga', a snare or hunting net). The Roman poet Martial first used 'plagiarius' metaphorically to describe a literary thief who stole his verses.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Plagiarism. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/plagiarism
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