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gos·sip

gossip

 
 
pronunciation:
ga sihp
parts of speech:
noun, intransitive verb
features:
Word History, Word Explorer
part of speech: noun
definition 1: talk, rumor, or speculation about other people, esp. about their personal affairs.
Do you believe that gossip about the people across the street?You shouldn't go around spreading gossip about people.I never listen to gossip.
synonyms:
dirt, scandal, whispering
similar words:
hearsay, rumor, tale, talk
definition 2: someone who frequently participates in the telling of gossip.
She's such a gossip that I'm afraid to tell her anything.
synonyms:
blab, blabbermouth, busybody, scandalmonger, tattler, telltale
similar words:
blabber, cat, chatterbox, magpie, prier, snoop, tattletale, yenta
definition 3: any kind of light, frivolous talk; chatter.
We're just having a cup of coffee and enjoying a bit of gossip.
synonyms:
chatter, chitchat, prattle, twaddle
similar words:
babble, blab, gab, jabber, prate, tattle
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: gossips, gossiping, gossiped
definition: to participate in the telling of gossip.
Those two are always gossiping about the neighbors.
synonyms:
nose into, pry, tattle
similar words:
blab, chitchat, talk
derivations: gossipy (adj.), gossiper (n.)
Word History
Gossip comes from godsibb, an early English word for a godparent. Over time, "gossip" came to mean any close friend. By the late 1500s, the word was being used for someone who chatters about things of no importance. Today, most people would not like to be known as a "gossip."
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