gossip

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   Casual talk about other people's private lives, often including details that are unconfirmed or exaggerated.

   Grammar: No plural and no 'a' in this sense: there is a lot of gossip, not a gossip.

   Patterns

   • gossip about someone
   • a piece of gossip
   • gossip that something

   The office was full of gossip about who would get the promotion.

   I try not to listen to gossip about my neighbors.

   Celebrity gossip sells a lot of magazines.

2. 2nouncountabledisapproving

   A person who enjoys talking about other people's private affairs.

   Grammar: Takes an or the: she is a terrible gossip.

   Patterns

   • a gossip

   My aunt is a notorious gossip, so keep your news to yourself.

   Every village seems to have one gossip who knows everything.

3. 3verbintransitive

   To chat about other people's private lives, often passing on things that may not be true.

   Grammar: No object; often followed by about: they gossiped about the new manager.

   Patterns

   • gossip about someone
   • gossip with someone

   The two friends gossiped for an hour over coffee.

   Students were gossiping about the surprise quiz.

Word forms

Common combinations

idle gossip

Don't believe idle gossip you hear at work.

spread gossip

Someone spread gossip about their breakup.

juicy gossip

She came back from lunch with juicy gossip.

office gossip

Office gossip says the team is moving.

gossip column

The gossip column mentioned the singer's new house.

Synonyms and how they differ

rumor

A rumor is a specific unverified story, while gossip is the general habit or stream of talk about people.

chatter

Chatter is any light talk and need not be about other people's private lives.

scandal

Scandal means shocking events or public outrage itself, not just talk about them.

Word family

gossipy adjective

fond of gossip or full of it

gossiper noun

someone who gossips

gossipmonger noun

a person who spreads gossip eagerly

Commonly confused: gossip or rumor?

Practice

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