tattle
B2Informal, slightly childish or colloquial.
Definition
Meaning
To reveal private or secret information about someone, especially about their wrongdoing, in a childish or gossipy manner.
To chatter or gossip idly; to inform on someone, often with the connotation of trivial or petty reporting.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word almost always carries a negative, judgmental tone, implying the speaker is acting like a child (a 'tattletale') or engaging in petty gossip. It is rarely used in a positive or neutral sense.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, the noun 'tattletale' is very common for a person who tattles. In British English, 'tell-tale' is the more common equivalent noun.
Connotations
Slightly stronger childish/playground connotations in AmE due to the prevalence of 'tattletale'. In BrE, the verb itself is understood but the noun form differs.
Frequency
The verb 'tattle' is used in both varieties, but the associated noun ('tattletale' vs. 'tell-tale') is a key distinction.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] tattles on [Object] (to [Authority])[Subject] tattles about [Object/Issue]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “tattle-tale”
- “tattle on someone”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except metaphorically ('He tattled to HR about the minor breach'). Conveys unprofessional, petty behavior.
Academic
Very rare. Would be used only in specific analyses of language or child behavior.
Everyday
Common in contexts involving children, parenting, or light gossip among adults.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The younger brother always tattles on his siblings to their parents.
- She threatened to tattle about the broken vase if they didn't share the sweets.
American English
- If you tattle on me to the boss, I'll be really annoyed.
- The kids promised not to tattle about who started the food fight.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard. No common adverbial form.)
American English
- (Not standard. No common adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- She gave him a tell-tale look. (Note: 'tattle' is not used as a standard adjective; the related noun form 'tell-tale' is used attributively.)
American English
- He's such a tattletale kid. (Note: 'tattletale' is used as a noun or attributive noun, not a pure adjective from 'tattle'.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My little sister tattles on me.
- Don't tattle to the teacher!
- He tattled on his classmates for cheating on the test.
- Children often tattle to get attention from adults.
- The journalist was accused of tattling on the celebrity's private life rather than reporting real news.
- I won't tattle about your mistake if you help me fix mine.
- The political insider's new book is seen as a vindictive attempt to tattle on his former colleagues' minor transgressions.
- The culture of tattling to management over every small grievance created a toxic work environment.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound of a rattling toy or chatter: 'tat-tat-tattle'. It sounds like petty, repetitive noise, like someone revealing small secrets.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOSSIP/INFORMING IS CHILDISH NOISE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'болтать' (to chat) - 'tattle' is specifically negative. Closer to 'ябедничать' or 'доносить' (petty informing).
- Avoid using as a direct translation for neutral 'рассказывать' or 'информировать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it without the negative connotation (e.g., 'He tattled the good news').
- Confusing it with 'toddle' (to walk unsteadily).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the meaning of 'tattle'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal and often carries a childish or petty connotation. It is not suitable for formal or academic writing.
'Inform' is neutral and formal. 'Tattle' is negative and informal, implying the information is trivial and the motive is petty or childish.
In American English: a 'tattletale'. In British English: a 'tell-tale'. Both terms are nouns.
Yes, but it's less common. You can 'tattle about' something, but 'tattle on [someone]' is the most frequent and idiomatic pattern.