gossip
Noun:
- A person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others: "Gossip" can refer to an individual who enjoys discussing the private affairs of other people, often without their knowledge or consent.
- Rumor or talk of a personal, sensational, or intimate nature: "Gossip" also denotes the information itself that is shared, typically about other people's private lives, which may be true or invented.
- Casual or idle talk, especially about other people: This meaning refers to the general act of engaging in informal conversation, often focusing on social news and personal details.
Verb:
- To engage in casual conversation about other people, often involving details that are private or not confirmed: The basic meaning is to talk informally, especially about other people's personal lives or about rumors.
- To reveal secrets or private information about others through conversation: This use emphasizes the act of divulging personal or confidential details.
Noun:
- She is the biggest gossip in the office; she knows everyone's business. (Referring to a person.)
- I heard an interesting piece of gossip about the new neighbors. (Referring to information.)
- Their meeting was just an excuse for gossip and coffee. (Referring to casual talk.)
Verb:
- They love to gossip about celebrities.
- Please don't gossip about your colleagues; it creates a bad atmosphere.
"the gossip mill": the rapid spread of rumors and information through conversation.
- The gossip mill at work is already spreading news about the merger.
"gossip column": a section in a newspaper or magazine devoted to short, often sensational news about the personal lives of celebrities.
- She reads the gossip column every morning.
Gossipy (adj): characterized by or fond of gossip.
- She wrote a gossipy email about the party.
Gossiper/Gossipmonger (n): a person who gossips frequently. (Note: These are compound words using "gossip" as a base).
- Rumor (n): a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth.
- Tattle (v/n): to disclose secrets or gossip; idle talk.
- Chat (v/n): to talk in a friendly, informal way; a friendly, informal conversation (less negative connotation).
Dish the dirt (on someone) (idiomatic phrase): to gossip, especially to reveal scandalous or negative information.
- She called her friend to dish the dirt on their mutual acquaintance.
Spill the tea (idiomatic phrase, informal): to share gossip or the truth, especially of a sensational nature.
- Come on, spill the tea about what happened last night!
Hear something through the grapevine: to learn about something via rumor or informal conversation.
- I heard through the grapevine that they are dating.
A little bird told me: used to say that you have heard a piece of information but you do not want to say who told it to you.
- A little bird told me you're looking for a new job.
- a person given to gossiping and divulging personal information about others
- a report (often malicious) about the behavior of other people
- the divorce caused much gossip
- light informal conversation for social occasions
- talk socially without exchanging too much information
- the men were sitting in the cafe and shooting the breeze
- wag one's tongue; speak about others and reveal secrets or intimacies
- She won't dish the dirt