tattle

1 of 2

verb

tat·​tle ˈta-tᵊl 

tattled; tattling

ˈtat-liŋ,

ˈta-tᵊl-iŋ 

intransitive verb

1

chiefly US : to tell secrets about what someone else has done : blab

2

: chatter, prate

transitive verb

: to utter or disclose in gossip or chatter

tattle

2 of 2

noun

1

: idle talk : chatter

2

: gossip

Synonyms

Verb

• gossip
• talk

Noun

• rumor
• gossip
• talk
• report

Examples of tattle in a Sentence

Verb

those neighborhood busybodies, constantly tattling and whispering over their backyard fences

Noun

she claims to have picked up some juicy tattle about the celebrity couple

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Jeri Weil as Judy Hensler Jeri Weil played Judy Hensler, who is credited with being one of Beaver's nemeses for frequently tattling and teasing him. —Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 7 June 2025

The site’s community boosted its value to more than $72 million, and then people started tattling on him to his parents. Want more? —Makena Kelly, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2024

Noun

And to those working in the U.K. capital’s entertainment industry, this tidbit of insider tattle may not come as a surprise. —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2025

Sara James has seen a big change in her kindergarteners since welcoming the tattle phone to their classroom Comments A kindergarten teacher is going viral for implementing a longstanding classroom management tool — with a twist. —Angela Andaloro, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle Dutch tatelen; akin to Middle English tateren to tattle

First Known Use

Verb

1547, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Noun

circa 1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tattle

• tittle-tattle

Rhymes for tattle

• battel
• battle
• brattle
• cattle
• chattel
• prattle
• rattle
• striatal

Kids Definition

tattle

1 of 2 verb

tat·​tle ˈtat-ᵊl 

tattled; tattling

ˈtat-liŋ,

-ᵊl-iŋ

: to tell secrets : blab

tattle

2 of 2 noun

1

: idle talk : chatter

2

: gossip sense 2a