tattle

1 of 2

verb

tat·​tle ˈta-tᵊl How to pronounce tattle (audio)
tattled; tattling
ˈtat-liŋ, 
ˈta-tᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce tattle (audio)
Synonyms of tattlenext

intransitive verb

1
chiefly US : to tell secrets about what someone else has done : blab
2
: chatter, prate

transitive verb

: to utter or disclose in gossip or chatter

tattle

2 of 2

noun

1
: idle talk : chatter
2
: gossip

Synonyms of tattle

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Verb

Noun

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Examples of tattle in a Sentence

Verb those neighborhood busybodies, constantly tattling and whispering over their backyard fences Noun she claims to have picked up some juicy tattle about the celebrity couple
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Jeri Weil played Judy Hensler, one of Beaver's nemeses who frequently tattled on and teased him. — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026 In turn, the AGI might tattle on them to government authorities. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
Fortunately for him, none of the women rush to tattle on anyone else. — Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 13 Oct. 2023 But the real interest of this book lies not in its colorful tittle-tattle but in its richness as psychodrama. — Brooke Allen, WSJ, 2 Sep. 2022 See All Example Sentences for tattle

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle Dutch tatelen; akin to Middle English tateren to tattle

First Known Use

Verb

1547, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Noun

circa 1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tattle was circa 1529

Phrases Containing tattle

Rhymes for tattle

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Browse Nearby Words

tatting
tattle
tattler
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Cite this Entry

“Tattle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tattle. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tattle

1 of 2 verb
tat·​tle ˈtat-ᵊl How to pronounce tattle (audio)
tattled; tattling
ˈtat-liŋ, 
-ᵊl-iŋ
: to tell secrets : blab

tattle

2 of 2 noun
1
: idle talk : chatter
2
: gossip sense 2a

More from Merriam-Webster on tattle

Nglish: Translation of tattle for Spanish Speakers

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