tattle

[ tat-l ]

See synonyms for: tattle tattling on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object),tat·tled, tat·tling.

to let out secrets.
to chatter, prate, or gossip.

verb (used with object),tat·tled, tat·tling.

to utter idly; disclose by gossiping.

noun

the act of tattling.
idle talk; chatter; gossip.

Origin of tattle

1475–85; <Dutch tatelen; cognate with Middle Low German tatelen

Other words from tattle

tat·tling·ly, adverb

Words Nearby tattle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use tattle in a sentence

Mustique is famous for the omertà that ensures that very little celebrity tittle-tattle ever makes it off the island.
Why William is Powerless To Protest New Kate Pics | Tom Sykes | February 14, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
The story is just “tittle-tattle” and it will all “blow over,” he told the BBC.
Why Prince Harry’s Nude Photos Are a Disaster for Charles | Tom Sykes | August 23, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Mustique is also famous for the omertà that ensures that very little celebrity tittle-tattle ever makes it off the island.
William and Kate Bask in Mustique Privacy on Holiday With Middletons | Tom Sykes | January 27, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
You recollect that you promised to obtain something—a little tittle-tattle—concerning a lady.
The Doctor of Pimlico | William Le Queux
Cermigniani and Melillo were listening to the brilliant tittle-tattle of Bencini, with his cackling speech and his dry laugh.
The conquest of Rome | Matilde Serao

The writer observed that he was not anxious about H. Greville who loved tittle-tattle, and would get what he wanted there.
Memoirs of the Duchesse de Dino v.1/3, 1831-1835 | Dorothy Duchesse de Dino
Mother believed the story all nonsense, and was very much concerned that people should repeat such silly tattle.
Somehow Good | William de Morgan
Looking down the table I told myself that it must be the very home of idle gossip and the hot-bed of tittle-tattle.
The Woman Thou Gavest Me | Hall Caine

British Dictionary definitions for tattle

tattle

/ (ˈtætəl) /

verb

(intr) to gossip about another's personal matters or secrets
(tr) to reveal by gossiping: to tattle a person's secrets

(intr) to talk idly; chat

noun

the act or an instance of tattling
a scandalmonger or gossip

Origin of tattle

C15 (in the sense: to stammer, hesitate): from Middle Dutch tatelen to prate, of imitative origin

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

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