Gossip vs. Tattle: What's the Difference?
Gossip and Tattle Definitions
Gossip
Rumor or talk of a personal, sensational, or intimate nature.
Tattle
To reveal the plans or activities of another, especially ones that are secret or improper
Tattled on his sister when she snuck out.
Tattled to his parents about what his sister did.
Gossip
A person who habitually spreads intimate or private rumors or facts.
Tattle
To chatter; prate.
Gossip
Trivial, chatty talk or writing.
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Tattle
To reveal (something about someone) to another, as through gossiping.
Gossip
A close friend or companion.
Tattle
Idle talk; chatter; prattle.
Gossip
Chiefly British A godparent.
Tattle
A tattletale.
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Gossip
To engage in or spread gossip
Gossiped about the neighbors.
Tattle
(intransitive) To chatter; to gossip.
Gossip
(countable) Someone who likes to talk about other people's private or personal business.
Be careful what you say to him: he’s a bit of a gossip.
Tattle
Often said of children: to report incriminating information about another person, or a person's wrongdoing; to tell on somebody.
Gossip
(uncountable) Idle talk about someone’s private or personal matters, especially someone not present.
According to the latest gossip, their relationship is on the rocks.
I have a juicy piece of gossip to share with you.
Tattle
To speak like a baby or young child; to babble, to prattle; to speak haltingly; to stutter.
Gossip
(uncountable) Idle conversation in general.
Tattle
(countable) A tattletale.
Gossip
(uncountable) A genre in contemporary media, usually focused on the personal affairs of celebrities.
A gossip columnist
A gossip blog
Tattle
Often said of children: a piece of incriminating information or an account of wrongdoing that is said about another person.
Gossip
A sponsor; a godfather or godmother; the godparent of a child.
Tattle
(uncountable) Idle talk; gossip; (countable) an instance of such talk or gossip.
Gossip
(obsolete) A familiar acquaintance.
Tattle
To prate; to talk idly; to use many words with little meaning; to chat.
The tattling quality of age, which is always narrative.
Gossip
(obsolete) Title used with the name of one's child's godparent or of a friend.
Tattle
To tell tales; to communicate secrets; to be a talebearer; as, a tattling girl.
Gossip
(intransitive) To talk about someone else's private or personal business, especially in a manner that spreads the information.
Tattle
Idle talk or chat; trifling talk; prate.
[They] told the tattle of the day.
Gossip
(intransitive) To talk idly.
Tattle
Disclosing information or giving evidence about another
Gossip
(obsolete) To stand godfather to; to provide godparents for.
Tattle
Speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
Gossip
(obsolete) To enjoy oneself during festivities, to make merry.
Tattle
Divulge confidential information or secrets;
Be careful--his secretary talks
Gossip
A sponsor; a godfather or a godmother.
Should a great lady that was invited to be a gossip, in her place send her kitchen maid, 't would be ill taken.
Gossip
A friend or comrade; a companion; a familiar and customary acquaintance.
My noble gossips, ye have been too prodigal.
Gossip
One who runs house to house, tattling and telling news; an idle tattler.
The common chat of gossips when they meet.
Gossip
The tattle of a gossip; groundless rumor.
Bubbles o'er like a city with gossip, scandal, and spite.
Gossip
To stand sponsor to.
Gossip
To make merry.
Gossip
To prate; to chat; to talk much.
Gossip
To run about and tattle; to tell idle tales.
Gossip
Light informal conversation for social occasions
Gossip
A report (often malicious) about the behavior of other people;
The divorce caused much gossip
Gossip
A person given to gossiping and divulging personal information about others
Gossip
Wag one's tongue; speak about others and reveal secrets or intimacies;
She won't dish the dirt
Gossip
Talk socially without exchanging too much information;
The men were sitting in the cafe and shooting the breeze
