Gossip

Definition

Gossip can function as a noun meaning idle talk or rumors about the personal or private affairs of others; as a verb, it means to engage in casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about others, often involving details that are not confirmed as true.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb (intransitive)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA: /ˈɡɑː.sɪp/
• Respelling: GAH-sip

British English

• IPA: /ˈɡɒs.ɪp/
• Respelling: GOS-ip

Etymology

Middle English: from gossibbe “godparent” or “close friend,” from Old English godsibb (“god” + “relative by baptism”), later shifted to mean idle conversation among familiar people (late 14th century).

Derivatives

• gossipy (adjective)
• gossiping (noun/gerund)
• gossiper (noun)

Synonyms

• (noun) rumor, hearsay, tittle-tattle, chatter
• (verb) tattle, chatter, spread rumors

Antonyms

• (noun) fact, truth, confidentiality
• (verb) inform, disclose responsibly

Usage

Noun: The noun "gossip" is used in social and informal contexts to refer to talk about the personal lives of others. For example, "Office gossip can damage workplace morale," or "Local gossip said they were getting married."

Verb: As a verb, "to gossip" means to talk about others’ private affairs. For example, "They gossiped for hours about the celebrity’s latest scandal," or "She refused to gossip about her friends."

Related Terms

• Rumor: Unverified information or story.
• Scuttlebutt: Informal rumor or gossip.
• Tittle-tattle: Gossip about trivial matters.
• Chatter: Light, casual talk.
• Confidentiality: Respecting private information.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• Idle talk or rumors about the private affairs of others – often unverified and circulated informally.
  • Example: "She was tired of all the gossip spreading around town."
• Informal conversation about personal matters – light, often trivial discussion among friends.
  • Example: "They gathered over coffee for a morning gossip session."

Verb

• To engage in idle talk or spread rumors – to discuss the personal lives of others without confirmation.
  • Example: "She warned them not to gossip about their neighbor’s family troubles."
• To chat casually with others – to converse freely, often about inconsequential matters.
  • Example: "They spent the afternoon gossiping about old school friends."