What does tattletale mean?
A tattletale is someone who spreads other people's private information, typically because they enjoy gossip or cannot resist repeating what they have heard. The word is informal and generally disapproving, suggesting that the person is careless with confidential details and may betray trust. It can also be used in a lighter, humorous way, especially when referring to a child or an especially nosy acquaintance. As a verb, tattletale describes the act of gossiping or revealing secrets. The expression is familiar in both British and American English, although it sounds more conversational than formal. Its force comes from the picture of a recognizable social type: the person who quietly collects rumors and then passes them on. In a story, calling someone a tattletale immediately identifies them as someone whose curiosity or need for attention may override discretion.
A person who habitually reveals other people's private information, especially by gossiping.
"Her brother had always been a tattletale, unable to keep even the smallest secret."
Informal and usually negative; it implies careless disclosure of information rather than merely knowing a secret.
To gossip or reveal secrets, especially in a careless or habitual way.
"They spent the entire afternoon tattletaling about their neighbors."
Less common than the noun and typically conveys gossiping or irresponsible disclosure of information.
The standard plural of the noun is tattletales.
"The office tattletales were already spreading the news by lunchtime."
The suffix -tale turns an everyday act of chatter into a memorable character: a tattletale is someone whose very presence seems to invite secrets to escape.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tattletale come from?
Tattletale developed in English as a combination of tattle and tale. Tattle refers to idle chatter or gossip, while tale is an older English word for a story or account. The combination emphasizes a person who talks about other people's affairs, and it belongs to the same broad word family as tattle, tattler, tale, and tell.
Related word forms
How tattletale is actually used
The noun is informal and usually disparaging, though it can be used playfully. It implies that someone shares information indiscriminately, not merely that they know a secret; the verb is less common and carries the same gossiping implication.
Easily confused with tattletale
Tattletale is a person who spreads gossip, whereas tattle can refer to the gossip itself or to the act of gossiping.