What does plagiarize mean?
Plagiarize is a verb meaning to use someone else's words, ideas, or creative work without giving proper credit, usually by presenting the material as one's own. The word is especially common in education, publishing, and discussions of intellectual property. A plagiarized essay may reproduce another writer's sentences, arguments, or structure without acknowledgment, while a broader use refers to appropriating creative work such as text, images, or music. Although borrowing an idea can be legitimate when it is properly attributed, passing off someone else's expression or work as original is plagiarism. The word carries a strongly negative ethical connotation and can have serious consequences in schools, publishing, and professional settings. It is related to the noun plagiarism and the person who commits the act, a plagiarist.
verbTo use another person's words, ideas, or creative work without giving appropriate credit, especially in a way that presents it as one's own. It can also refer to copying a passage or work and submitting it as original.
- To use another person's words, ideas, or creative work without giving appropriate credit, especially by presenting it as one's own.
- To copy a passage, essay, or other work and submit or reproduce it as original.
"The student was accused of plagiarizing the essay published by the research team."
"The author accused the publisher of plagiarizing the novel without permission."
"Students may quote sources, but they should not plagiarize passages and submit them as their own work."
The word enters English through a history of literary theft: it derives from Latin plagiarius, a term associated with the abduction of people and the unauthorized appropriation of others' words.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does plagiarize come from?
The word comes from Latin plagiarius, originally associated with kidnapping or the abduction of another's property, and by extension with the theft of literary work. It entered English in the late 16th century in the context of literary theft, with the verb form developing later. The related noun plagiarism and the noun plagiarist continue to reflect this history of unauthorized appropriation.
Related word forms
How plagiarize is actually used
The term is most often used in academic, publishing, and legal contexts. It is also used more generally for taking creative or written work and presenting it as one's own; plagiarism can be intentional or result from inadequate citation practices.
Easily confused with plagiarize
Plagiarize is the verb describing the act of using someone else's work without credit, whereas plagiarism is the noun naming that act or practice.
Quoting accurately identifies the source of words or ideas, while plagiarizing presents them as one's own without proper acknowledgment.