What does reportedly mean?
Reportedly is an adverb meaning that something is said to be true according to reports or other people’s claims. It is especially common in journalism, political discussion, and business reporting, where a story is being presented before it has been fully verified. The word signals that the information comes from another source and that the speaker is not personally vouching for it. For example, a statement that a company is reportedly closing a factory tells readers that this claim has circulated, without guaranteeing that it is accurate. Because it adds caution and attribution, reportedly can make language sound more objective, but it should not be used as a substitute for evidence. It is related to report through the ordinary English formation of the adjective reported plus the adverbial suffix -ly.
adverbAccording to reports or what others are said to have stated, without the speaker necessarily confirming the information independently.
- According to reports or commonly repeated claims; used to attribute information rather than assert it as independently verified.
"The company is reportedly considering a major expansion into the Asian market."
"The negotiations are reportedly close to completion, although no official announcement has been made."
"According to local reports, the ancient manuscript reportedly contains several previously unknown passages."
Reportedly keeps a rumour at arm’s length: it reports what others have claimed without asking you to trust the claim outright.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reportedly come from?
Reportedly is formed in English from the past participle reported and the adverb-forming suffix -ly. Report comes through Old French from Latin reportare, meaning to carry or bring back, with its modern sense developing through the reporting of news and information. The form reportedly is an English derivative that spread into general use for claims attributed to reports rather than independently established facts.
Related word forms
How reportedly is actually used
It is commonly used in journalism and formal writing to attribute an unverified claim. It generally appears before the main verb, though its position can vary with the sentence structure.
Easily confused with reportedly
No distinction applies because the headword is the adverb reported by.