“Gossip” vs. “Rumor”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “gossip” and “rumor”

  • Gossip is typically shared about specific individuals, while rumors can be about anything.
  • Gossip is often shared for personal entertainment, while rumors can have a larger impact on society.
  • Gossip usually involves personal details about someone's life, while rumors can involve news or predictions about future events.
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What is the definition of “gossip” and “rumor”?

Gossip
  • Gossip is a conversation, usually between two or more people, that contains details about the lives of others.
  • It is a form of informal communication that can often contain inaccurate or exaggerated information.
  • Gossip is typically shared for entertainment or to bond with others over a shared interest in someone else's life.
Rumor
  • A rumor is a piece of information or a story that is passed from person to person through informal channels.
  • It can often be unsubstantiated and based on hearsay or speculation.
  • Rumors can spread quickly and can have a negative impact on individuals or organizations.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Gossip” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Gossip
264,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. Gossip can be hurtful and damaging to someone's reputation.
  2. She loves to gossip about her colleagues and always knows the latest scoop.
  3. Let's not indulge in gossip and focus on positive things instead.
Rumor
93,800,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. People started buying land in this area because of the rumors that the government is building a train station here.
  2. I heard a rumor that they are planning to cancel the concert due to bad weather.
  3. Rumors often have little basis in reality and can spread quickly.
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