English · Word Candidate

gossip

/ˈɡɒsɪp/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: gossips · gossiping · gossipping · gossiped

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Someone who likes to talk about other people's private or personal business.

Noun

Examples

Be careful what you say to him: he’s a bit of a gossip.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Idle talk about someone’s private or personal matters, especially about someone not present.

Noun

Examples

According to the latest gossip, their relationship is on the rocks.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To talk about someone else's private or personal business, especially in a manner that spreads the information.

Verb

Examples

This Place then is no other than the Chandler’s Shop; the known Seat of all the News; or, as it is vulgarly called, Gossiping, in every Parish in England.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To talk idly.

Verb

Examples

[…] on seats beneath the trees, the old men group of an evening to drink their ale and gossip over village politics;

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “gossip” mean?

Someone who likes to talk about other people's private or personal business.

Is “gossip” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.