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Synonyms

tittle-tattle

American  
[tit-l-tat-l] / ˈtɪt lˌtæt l /

noun

  1. gossip or foolish chatter.


verb (used without object)

tittle-tattles, present (3rd person singular) tittle-tattled, past participle, past tittle-tattling present participle
  1. to gossip or chatter.

tittle-tattle British  

noun

  1. idle chat or gossip

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (intr) to chatter or gossip

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of tittle-tattle

First recorded in 1520–30; gradational compound based on tittle to whisper, gossip

Explanation

School children often engage in tittle-tattle about their classmates, sharing rumors and gossip while socializing during lunch and recess. Tittle-tattle refers to light gossip or idle chatter. It can be used as a noun to describe the content of the gossip, and it can be used as a verb to describe the act of engaging in it. While usually harmless, too much tittle-tattle can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or the spread of minor rumors.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

President Putin recently dismissed the suggestion as "utter nonsense, drivel and politically-motivated tittle-tattle."

From BBC • Oct. 26, 2021

It was hard to take a news holiday, over Thanksgiving, what with the protests in Ferguson, the live updates, the streaming commentary, the instant video, the on-the-spot reporting, and the tittle-tattle of Twitter.

From The New Yorker • Dec. 3, 2014

The caipirinhas and cavier of the World Cup will make way for a daily diet of rumours, tittle-tattle and exasperation over the next few weeks.

From The Guardian • Jul. 17, 2014

When transfer windows were introduced, they were seen as potentially damaging for the red tops, for which transfer tittle-tattle was a staple.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2014

‘Your uncle does not want gossip and tittle-tattle over breakfast,’ she said tightly.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

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