tattletale

[ tat-l-teyl ]

noun

1. a talebearer or informer, especially among children.

adjective

1. telltale; revealing:

   a tattletale smear of lipstick on his collar.

tattletale

/ ˈtætəlˌteɪl /

noun

1. a scandalmonger or gossip
2. another word for telltale

Word History and Origins

Origin of tattletale¹

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

A good friend of mine calls this “the Texas tattletale law” and adds, “I don’t like laws that encourage spying.”

From Los Angeles Times