gossip1 noungossip2 verb
gossipgos‧sip1 /ˈɡɒsɪp $ ˈɡɑː-/ ●●○ noun 
WORD ORIGINgossip1
Origin:
Old English godsibb ‘godparent, close friend’, from god ‘god’ + sibb ‘relative’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Don't tell him anything private - he's a terrible gossip.
- I don't believe Liz had an affair with him. That's just malicious gossip.
- I got back from my vacation eager to hear all the latest gossip.
- I heard an interesting piece of gossip about Beth Ann.
- Mrs Busby was always ready to exchange local gossip with the customers who came into her shop.
- Polly follows all the gossip about the royal family.
- Recently her name has showed up a lot in gossip columns.
- The conversation began to drift towards gossip about their colleagues.
- The public never seems to tire of Hollywood gossip.
- The town gossips had been spreading rumours about Bruce for months.
- A lie is as good as the truth to a gossip.
- But the Mirror has read a transcript of the 2year-old recording and found much of it to be inconsequential gossip.
- Eliza Grierson was known as a gossip of Olympian standards.
- He loved to use gossip, half-truths, and lies to separate friends and to destroy relationships.
- Other gossip has Sun's low-end Tsunami box - due imminently - cast as Sunrgy.
- The government's prolonged sixteen-month silence over the Griffiths Report naturally led to much speculation, rumour and gossip.
- Those parliamentary gossips still in London enduring the boredom of the silly season waited in happy expectation for the scandal to break.
THESAURUS
noun [countable, uncountable] an informal talk in which people exchange news, feelings, and thoughts: · I was having a conversation with a friend the other day.· Conversation wasn’t easy because of all the noise.· He overheard our conversation about the children.
noun [countable, uncountable] a conversation about something important: · There was a lot of discussion about where the money was going to come from.· The two companies have been having discussions about a possible takeover.
noun [countable] a long conversation, especially about a problem or about what you plan to do: · We had a long talk about our relationship.
noun [countable] especially British English an informal friendly conversation: · I’ve just had a chat with Vinnie.
noun [singular] British English informal a conversation with a friend about unimportant things: · Mary and Jean were having a cup of tea and a natter.
noun [singular, uncountable] conversations in which people talk about things they have heard, especially about other people’s private lives, which may well not be true: · She always enjoyed going to friends’ houses and having a gossip.· It’s all just gossip.
noun [uncountable] polite friendly conversation about unimportant subjects, especially when you do not know someone very well and feel a little nervous: · We stood around making small talk about the weather.
noun [uncountable] friendly conversation in which people joke with each other and gently make fun of each other: · She enjoyed the friendly banter with her colleagues at the office.
Longman Language Activatorrules of acceptable behaviour British /rumor American information which is passed from one person to another and which may or may not be true, especially information about people's private lives or about something that a government, company etc has done or is planning to do: · The truth finally came out after months of rumour and gossip.rumour about/of: · What's this rumour about you and Vince Foster?· There were rumours of bombings in the northern part of the country.rumour that: · The band denied the rumours that they may be splitting up.hear a rumour: · Have you heard the rumour about him and his secretary?spread a rumour (=tell other people a rumour): · Someone's been spreading nasty rumours about me.it's only a rumour: · I don't think he's going to resign. It's only a rumour.rumour has it that (=there is a rumour that): · Rumour has it that there will be major job cuts in the new year.
if there is speculation about something, especially about something that is happening in politics or public life, a lot of people are talking about it and trying to guess what the truth is - used especially in news reports: speculation about: · There was a great deal of speculation about a possible merger involving Belgium's largest banks.speculation that: · Washington was buzzing with speculation that the senator would resign.amid speculation: · Share prices increased amid speculation that the Bank of England would cut interest rates.prompt/fuel etc speculation (=start or increase speculation): · The news fuelled speculation that the President's health had become significantly worse.pure/wild/idle speculation (=speculation that is very unlikely to be true): · Reports that the couple are getting a divorce have been dismissed as wild speculation.
information which people tell each other about other people's private lives, and which may or may not be true, especially when this is done in an unkind or disapproving way: · I got back from my vacation eager to hear all the latest gossip.gossip about: · The conversation began to drift towards gossip about their colleagues.exchange gossip (with somebody) (=tell each other gossip): · Mrs Busby was always ready to exchange local gossip with the customers who came into her shop.gossip column (=part of a newspaper that contains gossip about famous people): · Recently her name has showed up a lot in gossip columns.malicious gossip (=unkind and untrue gossip that someone spreads deliberately): · I don't believe Liz had an affair with him. That's just malicious gossip.
when something immoral or shocking happens, often involving important people, organizations, or events, and it becomes known by the general public: · Have you heard the latest scandal? Mick Green's been arrested for bribery and corruption.scandal over: · The scandal over the deal forced the corporation's president to resign in disgrace.a scandal breaks/erupts: · A major scandal erupted in November 1989, with the discovery that cattle in the UK and Netherlands had been given food contaminated with lead.
information or news that you think might be true, although you do not have any definite proof: reports of: · The government has promised to investigate reports of police corruption.unconfirmed reports (=reports that have not yet been proved to be true): · We are getting unconfirmed reports of a gas explosion in downtown Los Angeles.
what people tell each other about other people's personal lives, especially about their sexual relationships: · In those days there was always talk if two people lived together without being married.just talk (=a rumour that is unlikely to be true): · "They say he's having an affair with a colleague at work." "That's just talk."
something that you have been told, or that you have heard only indirectly, but which you have no way of proving to be either true or untrue: · All the accounts were based on hearsay rather than eye-witness reports.· Judge Wagenbach ruled that the statement was inadmissible as evidence, after Mr. Lamb's attourney argued that it was hearsay.rely on hearsay: · A factual book is a lot better than relying on hearsay from friends.hearsay evidence (=evidence given in a court of law by someone who did not directly see something happen): · The court is not allowed to admit hearsay evidence.
if you hear some news or information on or through the grapevine , someone else tells it to you unofficially, often in conversation: · "Who told you I was moving house?" "Oh, I just heard it on the grapevine."· Freddie was distressed when, through the grapevine, he heard of Liza's marriage.the school/hospital/industry etc grapevine: · According to the high-school grapevine, Kelly wants me to ask her out on a date.
if someone or something is rumoured to be doing something, be happening, be in a particular condition etc, that is what you have heard people saying: · It's a five star hotel and rumored to be the best in Europe.· The hospital is rumoured to be heading for closure, after the government's announcement on cuts.
someone who talks a lot or too much someone who is talkative talks a lot: · The wine was making her more relaxed and talkative.· Somehow I always end up alone in a room with my talkative aunt.
liking to talk a lot in a friendly way: · Nobles is a chatty, energetic 55-year-old.· The nurses at the hospital were pleasant and chatty, and they made me feel less nervous.
informal someone, especially a child, who talks a lot in a friendly way: · Cathy's a real chatterbox - she's very friendly, but all that talking can wear you out.
British /talks a blue streak American informal to talk a lot without stopping: · Once old Mulrooney got started there was no stopping him - that man could talk the hind leg off a donkey.· Annie had had too much to drink and was talking a blue streak.
someone who likes talking about other people's private lives and behaviour: · Don't tell him anything private - he's a terrible gossip.· The town gossips had been spreading rumours about Bruce for months.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYADJECTIVES/NOUN + gossip
Do you want to hear about all the latest hot gossip? Who is responsible for these malicious rumours? Let me give you a piece of advice. We’re witnessing a piece of history in the making. the media’s love of salacious gossip
· Annie usually has all the latest gossip.
(=interesting gossip)· He said that he had some especially juicy gossip to tell us.
(=interesting gossip)· What’s the latest hot gossip going round at work then?
(=gossip not based on facts)· She had no time for idle gossip.
(=gossip that everyone knows about)· Rumours about her affairs had become common gossip.
· He told her a few bits of office gossip which he thought might interest her.
British English:· She knew from village gossip how Harry had treated his first wife.
(=unkind gossip that is likely to upset someone)· Has someone been spreading malicious gossip?
phrases· I’ve got an interesting piece of gossip which might interest you.
(=be talked about)· His close friendship with Carol was the subject of gossip.
verbs (=talk about other people and their private lives with someone)· They used to meet up and exchange gossip.
· Have you heard the latest gossip about Steve?
· He was always willing to listen to gossip.
· Someone’s been spreading gossip about Lucy and Ian.
(=it is told by one person to another)· It was a small village, and any gossip went around very quickly.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=one about the private lives of famous people)· She was upset by an item in the Washington Times gossip column.
Do you want to hear about all the latest hot gossip? Who is responsible for these malicious rumours? Let me give you a piece of advice. We’re witnessing a piece of history in the making. the media’s love of salacious gossip· How dare you spread such vicious lies!· Has someone been spreading malicious gossip?
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Once he got started, like all the best gossips, there was no stopping him.· Along the way, a couple of good gossip nuggets emerge.· But if it's good gossip you're after, you've come to the right place.· What was good was the gossip and the lies.· He liked a good gossip and knew something about everybody in the area.
· Certainly not a considerable number of ladies, according to hot gossip and well informed rumour.· Got any hot new gossip for us, Chris?
· She had no time for idle gossip as she had to do all the work herself.· She's a great one for idle gossip though.
· While the adults sat about and caught up with the local gossip, the children would round off the day with sports.· The reasoning was elaborate, the product of nonstop local gossip since a series of strange events on June 5.· Trudi, a dwarf and an outsider, becomes the local gossip and observer of everything that occurs in her village.· For the rest of the time, we talked only of natural history and local gossip, and got on very well.· Letters from home came weekly, crammed with family news and local gossip.· Except for obvious examples such as the local gossip.· But that kind of local gossip will ease the tension out of you.
· Jotan's daughter, the sister of Jehan, was the source of as much malicious gossip as he was himself.
NOUN· When such an article rises above the level of a gossip column, the artist's profile can be a valuable format.· Without Deborah they did not add to any more than another name for the bars and gossip columns of New York.· He made more gossip column copy than our delightful princess.· When they stirred controversies, they were generally reported by the feature pages and gossip columns of newspapers.· Harriet read film and gossip column mags voraciously.· Her colourful opinions soon gave her a wider platform and she became a familiar face in the gossip columns.· Back in London, her name began appearing in the gossip columns.· Even colleagues assumed the gossip column staff spent most of their waking hours at parties.
· Business gossip columnists speculate endlessly on who will emerge as the old man's successor.· She threw parties and invited gossip columnists.· True, no gossip columnists allowed, no photographers permitted.· A self-confessed gossip columnist, she writes under her former married name of Lady Colin Campbell - to me her first vulgarity.· Nearby gossip columnist Louella Parsons listened attentively.
· How could I ever listen to office gossip even in bed and find it so intelligent?· Not office gossip or patronising shit about trusting the Registry files.
· La Bavarde - a village gossip shares the day's news. 4.· Meanwhile Sir Clifford has engaged a nurse, Mrs Bolton ... who just happens to be the village gossip.
VERB· They could exchange gossip about the parish; anything to distract his mind.
· Mina said he was always asking her if she'd heard any interesting gossip at her musical soirées.· Erik may not be there, but your agents could have heard rumours or gossip.· He was also well skilled in diplomacy, hearing a great deal of gossip and complaint but discreet enough to keep it to himself.· Bobbie, with her connections, would be well placed to hear gossip.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► titbit of information/gossip/news etc► water cooler gossip
1[uncountable] information that is passed from one person to another about other people’s behaviour and private lives, often including unkind or untrue remarksgossip about- Closed doors with Wilkinson usually meant that he had some especially juicy gossip or that he was fishing for information.
Here’s an interesting piece of gossip about Mrs Smith. What’s the latest gossip? Do you want to hear some juicy gossip? She had no time for idle gossip. It was common gossip how he felt about her. You miss a lot of office gossip when you have a day off work. On Sundays all the men gather in the square to exchange local gossip.2[countable usually singular] a conversation in which you exchange information with someone about other people’s lives and things that have happened: Phil’s in there, having a gossip with Maggie.3[countable] someone who likes talking about other people’s private lives – used to show disapproval: Rick’s a terrible gossip.COLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + gossipthe latest gossip· Annie usually has all the latest gossip.juicy gossip (=interesting gossip)· He said that he had some especially juicy gossip to tell us.hot gossip (=interesting gossip)· What’s the latest hot gossip going round at work then?idle gossip (=gossip not based on facts)· She had no time for idle gossip.common gossip (=gossip that everyone knows about)· Rumours about her affairs had become common gossip.office gossip· He told her a few bits of office gossip which he thought might interest her.village gossip British English:· She knew from village gossip how Harry had treated his first wife.malicious gossip (=unkind gossip that is likely to upset someone)· Has someone been spreading malicious gossip?phrasesa piece of gossip· I’ve got an interesting piece of gossip which might interest you.be the subject of gossip (=be talked about)· His close friendship with Carol was the subject of gossip.verbsexchange gossip (=talk about other people and their private lives with someone)· They used to meet up and exchange gossip.hear gossip· Have you heard the latest gossip about Steve?listen to gossip· He was always willing to listen to gossip.spread gossip· Someone’s been spreading gossip about Lucy and Ian.gossip goes around (=it is told by one person to another)· It was a small village, and any gossip went around very quickly.gossip1 noungossip2 verb
gossipgossip2 ●●○ verb [intransitive] VERB TABLE
gossip
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | gossip |
| he, she, it | gossips | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | gossiped |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have gossiped |
| he, she, it | has gossiped | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had gossiped |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will gossip |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have gossiped |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am gossiping |
| he, she, it | is gossiping | |
| you, we, they | are gossiping | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was gossiping |
| you, we, they | were gossiping | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been gossiping |
| he, she, it | has been gossiping | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been gossiping |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be gossiping |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been gossiping |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Cocteau's jazz club was the spot where artists gossiped and drank.
- I wasn't doing anything important - just gossiping with a neighbour.
- It's best not to tell Frank anything. You know how he gossips.
- This is where the locals gather to gossip and talk politics.
- Those two old ladies sit there every day, gossiping about everyone in town.
- But she might walk slowly, gossiping on the way, or even stop off at some other house to drink tea.
- From what she had told me, Gail hung around with her girlfriends, gossiping and looking at boys.
- He didn't want to sit gossiping in the kitchen with that old slob of a cousin.
- If people gossiped about her Fleather would never hear it.
- If you've been gossiping about some one, go to those you gossiped to and try to restore the person's reputation.
- Sergeants Camb and Martin were gossiping in the foyer when he emerged from the lift.
- Women did their shopping, gossiped, then went home to prepare the Sunday meals for their families.
THESAURUSto talk about everyday things
to talk to someone for a long time about everyday things: · She was having a conversation with one of her friends.· When I arrived, Joe and Jane were deep in conversation (=very involved in a conversation).· I can order food in a restaurant in French, but not have a conversation.
informal to have a friendly informal conversation about things that are not very important: · The girls were chatting outside the house.· It’s been nice having a chat with you.
to talk about other people’s private lives when they are not there, especially about things that you have heard, which are not completely true: · What are you two gossiping about?
American English informal to have a conversation with someone: · I visited with him last week.
formal to have a conversation with someone: · We met once and conversed briefly.
Longman Language Activatorto talk about other people's private lives to spend time talking without a serious purpose, usually about other people's private lives or behaviour: · It's best not to tell Frank anything. You know how he gossips.gossip about: · Those two old ladies sit there every day, gossiping about everyone in town.
if you say that people talk , you mean that they talk about other people's private lives and behaviour, usually in a disapproving way: · We mustn't be seen together in public again. People are starting to talk.
to talk about someone when they are not present: · I hate people who talk about you behind your back and then pretend to be nice to you when they meet you.
used for saying that many people are talking about someone's private life in an unkind or disapproving way: · Tongues are wagging about Hollywood's newest couple.set tongues wagging (=cause people to start talking about you): · Thurmond's marriage so soon after his wife died set tongues wagging.
to talk to someone for a long time about unimportant things to spend time talking to someone, especially someone you are friendly with, about things that are not particularly serious or important: · Cocteau's jazz club was the spot where artists gossiped and drank.gossip with: · I wasn't doing anything important - just gossiping with a neighbour.
to talk continuously for a long time about unimportant things - used especially in literature: · The tiny gray-haired woman chattered continuously as she demonstrated how to make a tortilla.chatter with: · They poured out of the school chattering with their friends.chatter about: · Michele sat there chattering about her minor ailments to anyone who would listen.chatter away/on (=continuously): · I could hear the boys chattering away in the other room.
British informal if two people natter , they talk continuously for a long time about unimportant things: natter with: · I can't stand about nattering all day with you natter about: · Keith and Tom were nattering about cars and not doing a stroke of work.
to have a short, friendly conversation about unimportant things with someone you know, especially when you meet them by chance: · I just thought I'd stop by and pass the time of day.pass the time of day with: · Whenever we met in the street, Mr. Kelly would stop and pass the time of day with me.
American informal to have an informal conversation about unimportant things: · The men spent their evenings on the porch, shooting the breeze.shoot the breeze with: · Hemingway came into the bar almost every morning to read the papers, shoot the breeze with the regulars, and enjoy bracing double daiquiris.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Do you want to hear about all the latest hot gossip? Who is responsible for these malicious rumours? Let me give you a piece of advice. We’re witnessing a piece of history in the making. the media’s love of salacious gossip
(=one about the private lives of famous people)· She was upset by an item in the Washington Times gossip column.
Do you want to hear about all the latest hot gossip? Who is responsible for these malicious rumours? Let me give you a piece of advice. We’re witnessing a piece of history in the making. the media’s love of salacious gossip· How dare you spread such vicious lies!· Has someone been spreading malicious gossip?
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► titbit of information/gossip/news etc► water cooler gossip
to talk about other people’s behaviour and private lives, often including remarks that are unkind or untruegossip about- Closed doors with Wilkinson usually meant that he had some especially juicy gossip or that he was fishing for information.
The whole town was gossiping about them.► see thesaurus at talk