gossip

CEFRB1

/ˈɡɒsɪp/

noun · verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    Unkind or private talk about other people.

  2. 02

    verb

    To talk about other people and their private lives.

Examples

  • I have no time to engage in gossip.

  • Malicious gossip spreads like wildfire. I guess that's why they say bad news travels fast.

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings
  1. Idle conversation in general.

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

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

More examples

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

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

  • I have a juicy piece of gossip to share with you.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The blank that spread quickly about the manager was false.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From Middle English godsybbe, godsib (“a close friend or relation, a confidant; a godparent”), from Old English godsibb (“godparent, sponsor”), equivalent to god + sib. Doublet of godsib. For sense evolution to "gossip, discussing others' personal affairs," compare French commérage.