Tattletale: meaning, definitions and examples

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tattletale

[ˈtætəlˌteɪl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

person

A person, especially a child, who reveals secrets or informs on others; a telltale.

Synonyms

informant, snitch, traitor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tattletale	Typically used among children to describe someone who tells on others, usually to authority figures like teachers or parents. Sarah didn't like being called a tattletale by her classmates
snitch	Often used in a negative way to describe someone who secretly informs on others, especially in the context of crime and gangs. Nobody wanted to be friends with a snitch in the neighborhood
informant	Commonly used in legal or investigative settings to describe someone who provides information, often secretly, to authorities about illegal activities. The police relied on an informant to crack the case
traitor	Used to describe someone who betrays their country, friends, or a group they belong to, generally in very serious situations. He was branded a traitor for leaking government secrets

Examples of usage

He was labeled a tattletale by his classmates.
The tattletale ran to the teacher to report the incident.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

object

An object, such as a knickknack or ornament, that is used to reveal the presence of an intruder.

Synonyms

alarm, detector.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tattletale	This word is commonly used to describe someone, especially a child, who tells on others, often causing trouble for them. It has a negative connotation. Jeremy was known as the class tattletale, always running to the teacher whenever someone broke the rules. Nobody likes a tattletale, so it's better to solve small problems between friends without involving an adult.
alarm	This word is used to describe a device or a system that signals a warning or alerts people to danger, such as a fire alarm or an alarm clock. The fire alarm went off in the middle of the night, waking everyone in the building. She set her alarm for 6 AM to make sure she would wake up early for her flight.
detector	This word refers to devices designed to discover or identify specific substances or conditions, such as a smoke detector or a metal detector. Every home should have a smoke detector to warn people in case of fire. At the entrance of the museum, visitors must pass through a metal detector for security reasons.

Word

Description / Examples

tattletale

This word is commonly used to describe someone, especially a child, who tells on others, often causing trouble for them. It has a negative connotation.

Jeremy was known as the class tattletale, always running to the teacher whenever someone broke the rules.
Nobody likes a tattletale, so it's better to solve small problems between friends without involving an adult.

alarm

This word is used to describe a device or a system that signals a warning or alerts people to danger, such as a fire alarm or an alarm clock.

The fire alarm went off in the middle of the night, waking everyone in the building.
She set her alarm for 6 AM to make sure she would wake up early for her flight.

detector

This word refers to devices designed to discover or identify specific substances or conditions, such as a smoke detector or a metal detector.

Every home should have a smoke detector to warn people in case of fire.
At the entrance of the museum, visitors must pass through a metal detector for security reasons.

Examples of usage

The tattletale alarm went off as soon as someone entered the room.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'tattletale' combines 'tattle', which means to tell tales about someone, and 'tale', a story.
Its origins date back to the early 19th century, first appearing in the United States around the 1830s.

Childhood & Education

In schools, 'tattling' can create a tension between kids, as they weigh friendships against the desire to report misbehavior.
Many educators encourage children to distinguish between 'tattling' (to get someone in trouble) and reporting (to ensure safety).

Pop Culture

In various movies and TV shows, characters labeled as tattletales often face social consequences, reflecting the stigma around the behavior.
Popular children’s literature often presents tattling as a negative trait, encouraging themes of loyalty and friendship.

Psychology

Research suggests that tattling can be a form of social communication among children, signaling norms and boundaries within groups.
Some psychologists argue that tattling can stem from a child's desire to maintain fairness and justice in social interactions.

Literature

Classic children's books often depict a 'tattletale' character who finds themselves isolated by peers, teaching lessons about honesty and trust.
Modern literature sometimes embraces the complexity of tattling by showing the emotional struggles of those who report wrongdoing.

Translations

Translations of the word "tattletale" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dedo-duro

🇮🇳 चुगलखोर

🇩🇪 Petze

🇮🇩 pengadu

🇺🇦 ябеда

🇵🇱 skarżypyta

🇯🇵 告げ口屋 (tsugekuchi-ya)

🇫🇷 rapporteur

🇪🇸 soplón

🇹🇷 gammaz

🇰🇷 고자질쟁이 (gojajiljaeng-i)

🇸🇦 نمام (nammām)

🇨🇿 práskač

🇸🇰 donášač

🇨🇳 告密者 (gàomì zhě)

🇸🇮 tožibaba

🇮🇸 klagari

🇰🇿 сатып алушы

🇬🇪 ჩამშვები (chamshvebi)

🇦🇿 donuz

🇲🇽 chismoso

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,791, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.

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40788 parasailing
40789 caromed
40790 struggler
40791 tattletale
40792 gentrifying
40793 ululation
40794 odalisque
...