gossip

gossip

noun

Definition of GOSSIP

1

a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others <because her friend was such a compulsive gossip, she couldn't help but wonder if her private life wasn't also being made the talk of the town>

Synonyms circulator, gossiper, gossipmonger, newsmonger, quidnunc, talebearer, tale-teller, telltale, yenta

Related Words betrayer, blabbermouth, informant, informer, snitcher, squealer, stool pigeon, tattler, tattletale; libeler, scandalmonger

2

friendly, informal conversation or an instance of this <lingered at the water fountain for a little gossip>

Synonyms backchat, cackle, causerie, chatter, chin music, chin-wag [slang], chitchat, confab, confabulation, gab, gabfest, gossip, jangle, jaw, natter [chiefly British], palaver, patter, rap, schmooze, small talk, table talk, talk, tête-à-tête

Related Words colloquy, conference, discourse, parley, powwow, symposium; debate, dialogue (also dialog), exchange, give-and-take; crosstalk, happy talk; yak (also yack), yammer, yap

3

information or opinion that is widely disseminated without any authority or confirmation of accuracy <idle gossip can really damage a person's reputation even if it is later proven to be false>

Synonyms buzz, dish, gossip, hearsay, noise, report, scuttlebutt, talk, tattle, word

Related Words tale, whisper, whispering; hint, intimation, rumbling; disinformation, propaganda; urban legend (also urban myth); dirt, scandal