noun

gossip

gossip, rumor, chat, gossiper

I don't listen to office gossip.

I don't listen to office gossip.

He's a terrible gossip.

He's a terrible gossip.

They love to gossip about their neighbours.

They love to gossip about their neighbors.

((gossip)) talk about other people's private lives (uncountable) I don't listen to office gossip.

((a gossip)) a person who enjoys talking about others (countable) He's a terrible gossip.

((to gossip)) ((about sb./sth.)) to talk about other people (verb) They love to gossip about their neighbors.

Synonyms: rumor, hearsay, tattle, chatter

From Old English 'godsibb', meaning 'sponsor in baptism, godparent', from 'god' + 'sibb' (related). The sense evolved to 'familiar acquaintance, friend', then 'chatty person', and finally 'idle talk'.

Imagine a 'god-sibling' (godparent) who knows all the family secrets and loves to talk about them.

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