tittle-tattle
Americannoun
verb (used without object)
noun
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have tittle-tattledperfect
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has tittle-tattledperfect 3rd person singular
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is tittle-tattlingprogressive 3rd person singular
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am tittle-tattlingprogressive 1st person singular
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have been tittle-tattlingperfect progressive
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has been tittle-tattlingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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tittle-tattlingparticiple
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are tittle-tattlingprogressive
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tittle-tattlessingular 3rd person
Past
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had tittle-tattledperfect
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had been tittle-tattlingperfect progressive
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were tittle-tattlingprogressive plural
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was tittle-tattlingprogressive singular
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tittle-tattledsimple
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tittle-tattledparticiple
Future
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.
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
