Words / B1

GOS-ip/ˈɡɒsɪp/

Gossip is informal talk about people’s private lives (usually uncountable): office gossip; spread gossip. Rumour is already in the dictionary and can be about events, not only people. Chat is neutral. Do not present gossip as evidence in an exam essay. Workplace policies often ban malicious gossip.

Meaning

Informal talk about other people’s private lives, often unkind (uncountable).

Examples

• “Office gossip about the shortlist was unfair to the candidates.”
• “The column mixed gossip with politics, which is why the PCC complaint followed.”

Good to know

Uncountable: gossip; office / celebrity gossip. Related: rumour. Neutral: chat. Not evidence. Policy: malicious gossip.

Near in meaning

rumour

New