Tattle
/ˈtætl/verb
To reveal secrets or incidents, usually of other people, to someone in authority.
She was afraid her younger brother would tattle to their parents about her sneaking out.
Often appears as...
- tattle on someone
- tattle to parents
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To engage in aimless gossip or chatter.
He would tattle on about his adventures, not realizing that no one was interested.
Often appears as...
- tattle on about something
- tattle endlessly
noun
Gossip or chatter, often unnecessary or pointless.
He's full of tattle about other people's business.
Often appears as...
- a piece of tattle
- idle tattle
noun
A person who tells secrets or incidents to those in authority.
Don't be a tattle, keep this between us.
Often appears as...
- be a tattle
- don't be a tattle
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To reveal secrets or incidents, usually of other people, to someone in authority.
She was afraid her younger brother would tattle to their parents about her sneaking out.
Often appears as...
- tattle on someone
- tattle to parents
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To engage in aimless gossip or chatter.
He would tattle on about his adventures, not realizing that no one was interested.
Often appears as...
- tattle on about something
- tattle endlessly
noun
Gossip or chatter, often unnecessary or pointless.
He's full of tattle about other people's business.
Often appears as...
- a piece of tattle
- idle tattle
noun
A person who tells secrets or incidents to those in authority.
Don't be a tattle, keep this between us.
Often appears as...
- be a tattle
- don't be a tattle
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotations
Using 'tattle' can imply disapproval since it often involves telling on someone, sometimes seen as betrayal.
Tom didn't want to tattle on his friend, even though he broke the rules.
Pro Tip 2/3Childish Behavior
'Tattle' is often associated with children's behavior in telling adults about peers' actions.
The teacher told the students to solve their problems without tattling.
Pro Tip 3/3Authority Figure
Tattling typically involves informing a person with higher status or control, like a teacher or boss.
If you tattle to the supervisor, you might not be trusted by your coworkers.
Compare with
blabdivulgegossipleakrat outsnitchspill the beanstell
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Video examples
A Search for Shade PIPE...
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Video examples
A Search for Shade PIPE...
dark and shady under the willy fans maybe it will be cool in there tattle belly look under there it's really cool a shady hmm this is great oh
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Paul Bloom
Canadian Psychologist
Part of the satisfaction of tattling surely comes from showing oneself to adults as a good moral agent, a responsible being who is sensitive to right and wrong. But I would bet that children would tattle even if they could do so only anonymously. They would do it just to have justice done.
Quote examples
Paul Bloom
Canadian Psychologist
Part of the satisfaction of tattling surely comes from showing oneself to adults as a good moral agent, a responsible being who is sensitive to right and wrong. But I would bet that children would tattle even if they could do so only anonymously. They would do it just to have justice done.
Example 1 of 1
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