Gossiping: meaning, definitions and examples

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gossiping

[ˈɡɑːsɪpɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

social interaction

Engaging in casual or idle talk, especially about other people's personal affairs. Gossiping often involves spreading rumors or unverified information.

Synonyms

babbling, chattering, chatting, rumoring.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gossiping	Informal talks usually involving sharing personal or sensational information about others, often deemed unnecessary or intrusive. They were gossiping about their neighbor's messy divorce. I'm tired of all the gossiping in the office.
chatting	Casual or friendly conversation, often in a relaxed setting. They were chatting about their weekend plans. We spent the afternoon chatting at the café.
chattering	Rapid and often trivial talking, usually in a cheerful manner. The kids were chattering excitedly about their field trip. The women sat chattering over their morning coffee.
babbling	Talking rapidly and continuously in a foolish, excited, or incomprehensible way, often used when someone is speaking without making sense. The toddler was babbling happily in the corner. She started babbling nervously about the upcoming exam.
rumoring	Spreading unverified or doubtful information, often leading to speculation and misinformation. Typically used in a more negative sense. They were rumoring about a potential layoff in the company. Rumoring can cause unnecessary panic and confusion.

Examples of usage

He was gossiping with his coworkers during the lunch break.
She enjoys gossiping about celebrities with her friends.
I heard them gossiping about the new employee in the office.
Don't believe everything you hear from people gossiping.
The neighbors were gossiping about the recent scandal in town.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

social interaction

The act of engaging in casual or idle talk, especially about other people's personal affairs. Gossiping can be seen as a form of social bonding or as a negative behavior depending on the context.

Synonyms

chitchat, rumors, scuttlebutt, tittle-tattle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gossiping	Used when talking about sharing personal or private information about others, often in a disparaging or malicious manner. She enjoys gossiping about her neighbors' personal lives. Gossiping in the workplace can create a toxic environment.
rumors	Used when referring to unverified pieces of information or stories that are spread among people and may or may not be true. There are rumors that the company is going to lay off employees soon. She heard rumors about the new teacher before meeting her.
chitchat	Used for informal, light, and casual conversation, not necessarily about serious topics or personal information. We had a quick chitchat about our weekend plans. The two friends engaged in some casual chitchat while waiting for their coffee.
scuttlebutt	A nautical term, but can be used informally for workplace or industry-specific gossip. It often implies insider information. The scuttlebutt around the office is that the boss is planning to resign. You can always count on some good scuttlebutt at the water cooler.
tittle-tattle	Used for idle talk or trivial gossip, often with a connotation of being petty or meaningless. Their conversations are filled with useless tittle-tattle. Stop wasting your time with tittle-tattle and focus on your work.

Examples of usage

Her gossiping about others caused a lot of drama in the group.
Gossiping is common in small communities where everyone knows each other.
People should be mindful of the consequences of their gossiping.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word has roots in the Old English term 'gōdsibb', meaning a 'god-sibling' or close friend who shares news.
Originally, gossip referred to a woman who would assist in childbirth, indicating a close-knit community that shared news.
The term began to shift towards its current meaning in the 16th century, focusing more on casual conversation about others.

Psychology

Studies suggest that gossip can serve as a form of social bonding, helping people to connect and build relationships.
Interestingly, it can also reinforce social norms by letting individuals know what behavior is acceptable within a group.
Research indicates that both positive (compliments) and negative (rumors) gossip can affect people's moods and perceptions significantly.

Culture

In many cultures, gossip occupies a unique space in social interactions, both as a means of communication and as a source of entertainment.
Celebrity gossip has become a major part of media consumption, with entire magazines and websites dedicated to the private lives of public figures.
In tribal societies, gossiping played a crucial role in maintaining social order and cohesion, warning others about individuals who behaved poorly.

Literature

Gossip has been a popular theme in literature, often highlighting moral lessons about the dangers of spreading rumors.
In Shakespeare's plays, characters frequently engage in gossip, using it as a tool for intrigue and conflict between individuals.
Novels such as 'The Great Gatsby' feature gossip as a device that shapes character relationships and influences plot development.

Technology

The rise of social media has transformed gossiping, enabling gossip to spread rapidly online among large audiences.
Platforms like Twitter and Facebook often fuel gossip, as users share personal anecdotes and opinions about others, blurring lines between sharing and privacy.
Instant messaging apps allow for quick and discreet gossip exchanges, significantly changing how interpersonal communication occurs.

Translations

Translations of the word "gossiping" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fofoca

🇮🇳 गपशप

🇩🇪 Klatsch

🇮🇩 bergosip

🇺🇦 пліткування

🇵🇱 plotkowanie

🇯🇵 噂話 (うわさばなし)

🇫🇷 potins

🇪🇸 chismes

🇹🇷 dedikodu

🇰🇷 소문

🇸🇦 النميمة

🇨🇿 drby

🇸🇰 klebetenie

🇨🇳 八卦 (bāguà)

🇸🇮 opravljanje

🇮🇸 slúður

🇰🇿 өсек

🇬🇪 ჭორაობა (choraoba)

🇦🇿 dedikodu

🇲🇽 chismes

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,692, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
23689 unpleasantness
23690 saxophone
23691 flops
23692 gossiping
23693 civilly
23694 magnetometer
23695 pomegranate
...