tattle

[ tat-l ]

verb (used without object)

, tat·tled, tat·tling.

1. to let out secrets.
2. to chatter, prate, or gossip.

verb (used with object)

, tat·tled, tat·tling.

1. to utter idly; disclose by gossiping.

noun

1. the act of tattling.
2. idle talk; chatter; gossip.

tattle

/ ˈtætəl /

verb

1. intr to gossip about another's personal matters or secrets
2. tr to reveal by gossiping

   to tattle a person's secrets

3. intr to talk idly; chat

noun

1. the act or an instance of tattling
2. a scandalmonger or gossip

Other Words From

• tattling·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of tattle¹

1475–85; < Dutch tatelen; cognate with Middle Low German tatelen

Word History and Origins

Origin of tattle¹

C15 (in the sense: to stammer, hesitate): from Middle Dutch tatelen to prate, of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Mustique is famous for the omertà that ensures that very little celebrity tittle-tattle ever makes it off the island.

From The Daily Beast

The story is just “tittle-tattle” and it will all “blow over,” he told the BBC.

From The Daily Beast

Mustique is also famous for the omertà that ensures that very little celebrity tittle-tattle ever makes it off the island.

From The Daily Beast

You recollect that you promised to obtain something—a little tittle-tattle—concerning a lady.

From Project Gutenberg

Cermigniani and Melillo were listening to the brilliant tittle-tattle of Bencini, with his cackling speech and his dry laugh.

From Project Gutenberg

The writer observed that he was not anxious about H. Greville who loved tittle-tattle, and would get what he wanted there.

From Project Gutenberg

Mother believed the story all nonsense, and was very much concerned that people should repeat such silly tattle.

From Project Gutenberg

Looking down the table I told myself that it must be the very home of idle gossip and the hot-bed of tittle-tattle.

From Project Gutenberg