gossip
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++gos·sip1 /ˈɡɒsɪp $ ˈɡɑː-/ ●●○ noun 1 [uncountable]RUMOUR/RUMOR information that is passed from one person to another about other people’s behaviour and private lives, often including unkind or untrue remarks 流言蜚语，闲言碎语，传闻gossip about Here’s an interesting piece of gossip about Mrs Smith. 这里有一则关于史密斯夫人的有趣传闻。 What’s the latest gossip? 最近有些什么传闻？ Do you want to hear some juicy gossip? 你想听些有趣的传闻吗？ She had no time for idle gossip. 她没有时间说长道短。 It was common gossip how he felt about her. 他对她的看法，大家都在议论纷纷。 You miss a lot of office gossip when you have a day off work. 请一天假，你就会错过办公室里的许多小道消息。 On Sundays all the men gather in the square to exchange local gossip. 每到星期天，男人们就聚集在广场上，飞短流长地说一些当地的新闻。2 [countable usually singular] a conversation in which you exchange information with someone about other people’s lives and things that have happened 闲聊，闲话 Phil’s in there, having a gossip with Maggie. 菲尔在那里面跟玛吉闲聊。3 [countable]RUMOUR/RUMOR someone who likes talking about other people’s private lives – used to show disapproval 爱说长道短的人〔含贬义〕 Rick’s a terrible gossip. 里克就爱说三道四。n COLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + gossipthe latest gossipAnnie usually has all the latest gossip.juicy gossip (=interesting gossip)He said that he had some especially juicy gossip to tell us.hot gossip (=interesting gossip)What’s the latest hot gossip going round at work then?idle gossip (=gossip not based on facts)She had no time for idle gossip.common gossip (=gossip that everyone knows about)Rumours about her affairs had become common gossip.office gossipHe told her a few bits of office gossip which he thought might interest her.village gossip British English:She knew from village gossip how Harry had treated his first wife.malicious gossip (=unkind gossip that is likely to upset someone)Has someone been spreading malicious gossip?phrasesa piece of gossipI’ve got an interesting piece of gossip which might interest you.be the subject of gossip (=be talked about)His close friendship with Carol was the subject of gossip.verbsexchange gossip (=talk about other people and their private lives with someone)They used to meet up and exchange gossip.hear gossipHave you heard the latest gossip about Steve?listen to gossipHe was always willing to listen to gossip.spread gossipSomeone’s been spreading gossip about Lucy and Ian.gossip goes around (=it is told by one person to another)It was a small village, and any gossip went around very quickly.
Examples from the Corpus
gossip• Eliza Grierson was known as a gossip of Olympian standards.• A lie is as good as the truth to a gossip.• The government's prolonged sixteen-month silence over the Griffiths Report naturally led to much speculation, rumour and gossip.• The public never seems to tire of Hollywood gossip.• Recently her name has showed up a lot in gossip columns.• But the Mirror has read a transcript of the 2year-old recording and found much of it to be inconsequential gossip.• I got back from my vacation eager to hear all the latest gossip.• Mrs Busby was always ready to exchange local gossip with the customers who came into her shop.• I don't believe Liz had an affair with him. That's just malicious gossip.• I heard an interesting piece of gossip about Beth Ann.• Other gossip has Sun's low-end Tsunami box - due imminently - cast as Sunrgy.• Those parliamentary gossips still in London enduring the boredom of the silly season waited in happy expectation for the scandal to break.• Don't tell him anything private - he's a terrible gossip.• Polly follows all the gossip about the royal family.• The conversation began to drift towards gossip about their colleagues.• The town gossips had been spreading rumours about Bruce for months.• He loved to use gossip, half-truths, and lies to separate friends and to destroy relationships.piece of gossip• Or a piece of gossip about her that he told some one else in a letter.• One day Sam heard an interesting piece of gossip from some of the adult workers.gossip2 ●●○ verb [intransitive] TALK TO somebodyto talk about other people’s behaviour and private lives, often including remarks that are unkind or untrue 说闲话，说长道短gossip about The whole town was gossiping about them. 全镇的人都在议论他们。► see thesaurus at talk→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
gossip• It's best not to tell Frank anything. You know how he gossips.• Those two old ladies sit there every day, gossiping about everyone in town.• If people gossiped about her Fleather would never hear it.• If you've been gossiping about some one, go to those you gossiped to and try to restore the person's reputation.• Cocteau's jazz club was the spot where artists gossiped and drank.• From what she had told me, Gail hung around with her girlfriends, gossiping and looking at boys.• This is where the locals gather to gossip and talk politics.• Sergeants Camb and Martin were gossiping in the foyer when he emerged from the lift.• He didn't want to sit gossiping in the kitchen with that old slob of a cousin.• But she might walk slowly, gossiping on the way, or even stop off at some other house to drink tea.• Women did their shopping, gossiped, then went home to prepare the Sunday meals for their families.• I wasn't doing anything important - just gossiping with a neighbour.Origin gossip1 Old English godsibb “godparent, close friend”, from god “god” + sibb “relative”gos·sip1 noun →n COLLOCATIONS1gossip2 verbLDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable
to one from is passed Corpus information that person
gossip
gos‧sip1 /ˈɡɒsəp, ˈɡɒsɪp $ ˈɡɑː-/ 
noun
gossip about
Here’s an interesting piece of gossip about Mrs Smith.
What’s the latest gossip?
Do you want to hear some juicy gossip?
She had no time for idle gossip.
It was common gossip how he felt about her.
You miss a lot of office gossip when you have a day off work.
On Sundays all the men gather in the square to exchange local gossip.
2. [countable usually singular] a conversation in which you exchange information with someone about other people’s lives and things that have happened:
Phil’s in there, having a gossip with Maggie.
3. [countable] someone who likes talking about other people’s private lives – used to show disapproval:
Rick’s a terrible gossip.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + gossip
▪the latest gossip Annie usually has all the latest gossip.
▪juicy gossip (=interesting gossip) He said that he had some especially juicy gossip to tell us.
▪hot gossip (=interesting gossip) What’s the latest hot gossip going round at work then?
▪idle gossip (=gossip not based on facts) She had no time for idle gossip.
▪common gossip (=gossip that everyone knows about) Rumours about her affairs had become common gossip.
▪office gossip He told her a few bits of office gossip which he though might interest her.
▪village gossip BrE: She knew from village gossip how Harry had treated his first wife.
▪malicious gossip (=unkind gossip that is likely to upset someone) Has someone been spreading malicious gossip?
■ phrases
▪a piece of gossip I’ve got an interesting piece of gossip which might interest you.
▪be the subject of gossip (=be talked about) His close friendship with Carol was the subject of gossip.
■ verbs
▪exchange gossip (=talk about other people and their private lives with someone) They used to meet up and exchange gossip.
▪hear gossip Have you heard the latest gossip about Steve?
▪listen to gossip He was always willing to listen to gossip.
▪spread gossip Someone’s been spreading gossip about Lucy and Ian.
▪gossip goes around (=it is told by one person to another) It was a small village, and any gossip went around very quickly.
gossip2 verb [intransitive]
to talk about other people’s behaviour and private lives, often including remarks that are unkind or untrue
gossip about
The whole town was gossiping about them.
■ to talk about everyday things
▪have a conversation to talk to someone for a long time about everyday things: She was having a conversation with one of her friends. | When I arrived, Joe and Jane were deep in conversation (=very involved in a conversation). | I can order food in a restaurant in French, but not have a conversation.
▪chat/have a chat informal to have a friendly informal conversation about things that are not very important: The girls were chatting outside the house. | It’s been nice having a chat with you.
▪gossip to talk about other people’s private lives when they are not there, especially about things that you have heard, which are not completely true: What are you two gossiping about?
▪visit with somebody American English informal to have a conversation with someone: I visited with him last week.
▪converse formal to have a conversation with someone: We met once and conversed briefly.
| I |
noun Language: Old English
Origin: godsibb 'godparent, close friend', from god 'god' + sibb 'relative'
1. [uncountable] information that is passed from one person to another about other people’s behaviour and private lives, often including unkind or untrue remarksOrigin: godsibb 'godparent, close friend', from god 'god' + sibb 'relative'
gossip about
2. [countable usually singular] a conversation in which you exchange information with someone about other people’s lives and things that have happened:
3. [countable] someone who likes talking about other people’s private lives – used to show disapproval:
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| II |
verb [intransitive]to talk about other people’s behaviour and private lives, often including remarks that are unkind or untrue
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discussion a detailed conversation about sth that is considered to be important 指重要事情的讨论、谈论、商讨 ：◆ Discussions are still taking place between the two leaders. 两位领导人仍在进行讨论。 conversation a talk, usually a private or informal one, involving two people or a small group; the activity of talking in this way 通常指私下的或非正式的交谈、谈话 ：◆ a telephone conversation 电话交谈 dialogue conversations in a book, play or film 指书、戏剧或电影中的对话、对白 ：◆ The novel has long descriptions and not much dialogue. 这部小说描述多，对话少。 A dialogue is also a formal discussion between two groups, especially when they are trying to solve a problem or end a dispute.* dialogue 亦指两个团体间为解决问题或结束争端进行的正式对话、讨论、交换意见 ：◆ The President told waiting reporters there had been a constructive dialogue. 总统告诉等候的记者，刚才进行了一次富有建设性的对话。 talk a conversation or discussion, often one about a problem or sth important for the people involved 常指对有关人员就某个问题或重要的事情进行的交谈、谈话、讨论、商讨 ：◆ I had a long talk with my boss about my career prospects. 我和老板就我的事业前景进行了一次长谈。 debate a formal discussion of an issue at a public meeting or in a parliament. In a debate two or more speakers express opposing views and then there is often a vote on the issue. 指公共集会上或议会里就某问题进行的、常以表决结束的辩论 ：◆ a debate on prison reform 关于监狱制度改革的辩论 consultation a formal discussion between groups of people before a decision is made about sth 指团体间在决策前进行的咨询、商讨、磋商 ：◆ There have been extensive consultations between the two countries. 两国之间进行了广泛磋商。 chat a friendly informal conversation; informal talking 指友好的非正式交谈、聊天 NOTE The countable use of chat is especially British English.* chat 作可数名词尤用于英式英语 ：◆ I just called in for a chat about the kids. 我只是打电话来随便聊聊孩子的事情。 gossip a conversation about other people and their private lives 指关于他人及其私生活的闲谈、闲聊、说长道短 ：◆ We had a good gossip about the boss. 我们讲了好一会儿老板的闲话。
Patterns
a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossip about stha discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultation on sthin (close) discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultationwith sbto have a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossipwith sbto hold a discussion/conversation/debate/consultation
speaker a person who is or was speaking; a person who speaks a particular language 指发言者、讲某种语言的人 ：◆ I looked around to see who the speaker was. 我四下环顾看说话的是谁。 ◆ a fluent Arabic speaker 阿拉伯语讲得流利的人 communicator ( a person who is able to describe their ideas and feelings clearly to othersrather
指交际者、交流者 ：◆ The ideal candidate will be an effective communicator. 理想的候选人定要是善于沟通的人。 gossip ( a person who enjoys talking about other people's private lives指喜欢传播流言蜚语的人、爱说长道短（或说三道四）的人 ：◆ Myra is a dear, but she's also a terrible gossip. 迈拉是很可爱，但也是个讨厌的长舌妇。 talker a person who talks in a particular way or who talks a lot 指以某种方式说话的人、爱说话的人 ：◆ He's a very persuasive talker. 他是一个说话很有说服力的人。 ◆ She's a (great) talker (= .she talks a lot )她很健谈。
speaker or talker? 用 speaker 还是 talker？
Talker is used when you are talking about how much sb talks or how well they talk. It is not used for the person who is or was talking.* talker 用以指说话多或少，或者话说得如何的人，不用以指正在或曾经在说话的人 ：◆ I looked round to see who the talker was. You can say that sb is a good/persuasive speaker but that means that they are good at making speeches. If you mean that they speak well in conversation, usetalker .* good/persuasive speaker 指的是擅长演讲的人。如果指健谈或能言善辩的人就用 talker。
Patterns
a good/great speaker/communicator/talkeran effective/excellent speaker/communicator