lit. "the evil tongue": gossip and slander prohibited by halacha, even if true.

Lashon hara (Hebrew לשון הרע; "evil tongue," also transliterated as loshon hora) is the Jewish sin of gossip. Lashon hara generally refers to true statements, written or spoken, although untrue gossip is also prohibited. Thus, while truth is generally a defense against slander or libel, it is not a defense against lashon hara.