What does gossiping mean?
Gossiping means talking with other people, often casually and sometimes maliciously, about their private affairs, personal habits, relationships, or activities. As a verb, it describes the activity itself: someone may be gossiping at work, at a social gathering, or over the telephone. As a noun, it usually names this habit or practice and is generally treated as an uncountable concept. The expression commonly has a negative implication because people who gossip may repeat unverified, embarrassing, or confidential information, although it can also be used lightly for ordinary social conversation. The word's history is unusually paradoxical: it ultimately derives from an Old English compound meaning "godchild" or "godson," then came to mean a sponsor or close companion before developing into a term for a confidant and, eventually, for talk about other people. Modern usage preserves both possibilities: gossiping may be seen as harmless fellowship or as a breach of trust.
To talk casually, often maliciously, about other people's private affairs.
"They were gossiping about the couple next door."
Often implies a breach of privacy, though the expression can be neutral when referring to ordinary conversation.
The activity or practice of talking about other people's private affairs.
"Her gossiping made the office atmosphere uneasy."
Usually uncountable; a plural form is not normally needed.
Given to talking about other people's private affairs.
"A gossiping colleague spread the rumor immediately."
This is a participial use and is typically informal and mildly disapproving.
When used as a noun, gossiping normally denotes an uncountable activity and is not pluralized.
"There was a great deal of gossiping about the announcement."
The word behind "gossiping" began as a label for a godparent, later became a term for a trusted confidant, and only then acquired its modern association with idle or malicious talk.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gossiping come from?
Gossiping derives from the English noun and verb "gossip," which comes from Old English godsibb, meaning "godson" or "godchild" and literally combining "god" with sib, a word related to "sibling" and signifying kinship or accord. During the medieval period, "gossip" referred to a sponsor or godparent, and it later developed the sense of a companion or confidant. From that sense it came to denote the telling of private or sensational information about other people, the modern meaning underlying gossiping.
Related word forms
How gossiping is actually used
Gossiping is usually informal and often carries a negative or mocking connotation because it implies discussing people who are not present. It can nevertheless be playful or neutral when it simply refers to casual conversation; a more pejorative sense is conveyed when the information is malicious, private, or unreliable.
Easily confused with gossiping
Gossiping is the activity of talking about other people's affairs, whereas gossip can also mean the information being repeated or a person who spreads it.