Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

urban-legend

noun

/ˈɜːrbən ˈlɛdʒ.ənd/

Definition

An urban legend is a popular story that is passed from person to person and is often presented as a true account, though its truthfulness is often dubious.

Examples

The story about the killer in the backseat is a classic urban legend.
Many urban legends, like the one about the alligators in the sewers, become popular over time.

Meaning

Urban legends are stories that are told as if they are real, often involving bizarre or unusual events, and they usually contain a moral or cautionary element.