tattletale

American  

[tat-l-teyl] / ˈtæt lˌteɪl /

noun

1. a talebearer or informer, especially among children.

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adjective

1. telltale; revealing.

   a tattletale smear of lipstick on his collar.

tattletale British  

/ ˈtætəlˌteɪl /

noun

1. a scandalmonger or gossip

2. another word for telltale

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Etymology

Origin of tattletale

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; tattle + tale

Explanation

A tattletale is a person who tries to get someone in trouble by revealing secret information about them. Your tattletale brother will probably tell your parents that you were actually at the movies, not the library. The word tattletale is mostly used in the U.S. (in Britain it's more common to use telltale). It comes from the verb tattle, "report someone's wrongdoing." In the 16th century, you'd have called a tattletale a pickthank. These days, you can also use words like snitch or whistle-blower.

Example Sentences

Danielle Spencer, the former child star who played sassy tattletale Dee Thomas on the 1970s sitcom “What’s Happening!!,” has died.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 12, 2025

“You once said that using the debt ceiling as a negotiating wedge just could not happen,” she harped like a little tattletale.

From Washington Times • May 15, 2023

I also feel urpy about being a tattletale.

From Slate • Aug. 24, 2021

You can avoid being branded a tattletale or flirt or a traitor.

From Salon • Sep. 20, 2019

A tattletale neurochip decided I would get a hooded peek of what I had done.

From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson