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Added 9 October 2026

gossip

/ˈɡɒsɪp/ noun

In Latin: rūmusculī Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about gossip at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Light informal conversation for social occasions.
A report (often malicious) about the behavior of other people.
the divorce caused much gossip
A person given to gossiping and divulging personal information about others.

verb

Wag one's tongue; speak about others and reveal secrets or intimacies.
She won't dish the dirt
Talk socially without exchanging too much information.
the men were sitting in the cafe and shooting the breeze

Origin

From Middle English godsybbe, godsib (“a close friend or relation, a confidant; a godparent”), from Old English godsibb (“godparent, sponsor”), equivalent to god + sib. Doublet of godsib. For sense evolution to "gossip, discussing others' personal affairs," compare French commérage.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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