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

Example Sentences

All media; corporate media, social media, local media, national media, state media, non-profit, for-profit and the tattletale kid down the street.

From Salon

“She used to go to school with our parents and Mr. Porter. I heard she was a tattletale back then. These days there aren’t many Remarkables who aren’t afraid of her.”

From Literature

“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

He has established a tattletale line to complain about teachers.

From Washington Post

We live in a culture increasingly at the mercy of tattletales.

From Washington Times