Rumor vs. Gossip — What's the Difference?

Rumor is unconfirmed information spread among people.

Gossip involves casual conversations about other people's personal lives.

Rumor often seeks validation or confirmation.

Gossip may contain both truth and falsehood.

Rumor can be related to any event, situation, or public figure.

Gossip is idle talk or rumour, especially about the personal or private affairs of others; the act is also known as dishing or tattling.Gossip is a topic of research in evolutionary psychology, which has found gossip to be an important means for people to monitor cooperative reputations and so maintain widespread indirect reciprocity. Indirect reciprocity is a social interaction in which one actor helps another and is then benefited by a third party.

Rumor may or may not be true.

Rumor or talk of a personal, sensational, or intimate nature.

Rumor circulates quickly but may dissipate upon clarification.

A person who habitually spreads intimate or private rumors or facts.

A rumour (British English), or rumor (American English; see spelling differences; derived from Latin: 'rumorem' - noise), is "a tall tale of explanations of events circulating from person to person and pertaining to an object, event, or issue in public concern."In the social sciences, a rumour involves a form of a statement whose veracity is not quickly or ever confirmed. In addition, some scholars have identified rumour as a subset of propaganda.

Trivial, chatty talk or writing.

A piece of unverified information of uncertain origin usually spread by word of mouth.

A close friend or companion.

Unverified information received from another; hearsay.

Chiefly British A godparent.

To spread or tell by rumor.

To engage in or spread gossip

A statement or claim of questionable accuracy, from no known reliable source, usually spread by word of mouth.

(countable) Someone who likes to talk about other people's private or personal business.

Information or misinformation of the kind contained in such claims.

(uncountable) Idle talk about someone’s private or personal matters, especially someone not present.

To tell a rumor about; to gossip.

(uncountable) Idle conversation in general.

A flying or popular report; the common talk; hence, public fame; notoriety.

(uncountable) A genre in contemporary media, usually focused on the personal affairs of celebrities.

A current story passing from one person to another, without any known authority for its truth; - in this sense often personified.

A sponsor; a godfather or godmother; the godparent of a child.

A prolonged, indistinct noise.

(obsolete) A familiar acquaintance.

To report by rumor; to tell.

(obsolete) Title used with the name of one's child's godparent or of a friend.

Gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth

(intransitive) To talk about someone else's private or personal business, especially in a manner that spreads the information.

Tell or spread rumors;

(intransitive) To talk idly.

(obsolete) To stand godfather to; to provide godparents for.

(obsolete) To enjoy oneself during festivities, to make merry.

A sponsor; a godfather or a godmother.

A friend or comrade; a companion; a familiar and customary acquaintance.

One who runs house to house, tattling and telling news; an idle tattler.

The tattle of a gossip; groundless rumor.

To stand sponsor to.

To make merry.

To prate; to chat; to talk much.

To run about and tattle; to tell idle tales.

Light informal conversation for social occasions

A report (often malicious) about the behavior of other people;

A person given to gossiping and divulging personal information about others

Wag one's tongue; speak about others and reveal secrets or intimacies;

Talk socially without exchanging too much information;

Gossip often takes place in social settings.

Gossip frequently contains sensational or exaggerated details.

Gossip doesn't usually seek validation.

No, rumor is usually about events or situations, while gossip focuses on individuals.

No, rumors may be true or false but are unverified.

Gossip can also be both harmful and harmless but often involves personal details.

People gossip for social bonding, entertainment, or to assert social dynamics.

Rumors can often be stopped by providing verified information.

Gossip involves casual conversations about individuals, often involving personal details.

Rumor is unverified information that circulates among people.

No, gossip can be either true or false but often involves sensationalism.

Gossip may be difficult to stop but can be minimized by not participating in it.

Rumor can originate from any source and is not limited to casual conversations.

Gossip usually originates from social interactions and casual conversations.

Rumor can be both harmful and harmless, depending on its nature and spread.

Rumors can be legally punishable if they lead to defamation or cause harm.

Gossip can also be legally punishable under defamation laws, especially if false and damaging.

People spread rumors for various reasons, including a lack of information or for manipulative purposes.