2 syllables: gos, sip. Stress on gos.
/ˈɡɑsəp/
gossip is pronounced /ˈɡɑsəp/. It has two syllables (gos-sip), with the stress on "gos". Gossip refers to casual talk or rumors about other people, typically sharing personal or private information. It can also denote the act of engaging in such talk. The term emphasizes informal conversation, often about sensational or personal topics, and may carry a negative connotation depending on the context and intent.
Say it backGossip refers to casual talk or rumors about other people, typically sharing personal or private information. It can also denote the act of engaging in such talk. The term emphasizes informal conversation, often about sensational or personal topics, and may carry a negative connotation depending on the context and intent.
"She enjoys listening to workplace gossip during lunch."
"Gossip about the movie’s leading stars circulated long before its release."
"He wisely ignored the office gossip and focused on his own work."
You say /ˈɡɒsɪp/ in UK/AU and /ˈɡɑːsɪp/ in many US pronunciations when the first vowel is tense; common US simplification moves to /ˈɡɑsɪp/. The stress is on the first syllable: GEN: GOS-ip. Mouth position: start with the g sound, then short o or open back vowel, followed by a clear /s/ and a light /p/ release. For audio reference, listen to standard dictionaries or Forvo entries for gossip in your variant, and practice the two-light-toned vowels.
Common errors: misplacing the stress (trying to stress the second syllable), overpronouncing the second vowel as a long /oʊ/ instead of a short /ɪ/ or /ɪ/; or adding an extra vowel between /s/ and /p/. Correction: keep stress on first syllable, use a short, lax vowel in the second syllable (/ɪ/), and a clean /s/ followed by a rapid, unreleased /p/. Practicing with minimal pairs like 'gos-sip' vs 'gas-sip' can help you stabilize the sequence.
US varies with a higher flat /ɡɒ/ or /ɡɑ/ and a sharper /s/; UK typically uses /ˈɡɒsɪp/ with shorter vowel and non-rhotic r absence; Australian often mirrors UK vowels but with slightly broader, more relaxed vowels and a crisp final /p/. Overall, rhotics affect the US articulation, while UK/AU keep non-rhotic endings; listen for the short /ɪ/ in the second syllable and final unreleased /p/ in casual speech.
The challenge lies in balancing the short, lax vowel in the second syllable with a quick, release /p/ after /s/. Many learners insert extra vowels or lengthen the /ɪ/ before /p/ or misplace the /s/ timing. Achieve accuracy by fixing the alveolar /s/ with a very light, nearly silent release into the /p/, and ensure the first syllable has a clipped, stressed /ɡ/ plus short /ɒ/ or /ɑ/ depending on accent.
A unique feature is maintaining a crisp, unreleased final /p/ after /s/ in rapid speech. The /p/ should be lightly aspirated or even unreleased in casual speech. You’ll also need to keep the first syllable tight and stressed, avoiding a prolonged /ɒ/ or /ɑ/. Practicing with speed drills helps you lock the transition from /s/ to /p/ cleanly.
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Gossip comes from Middle English gosser, probably from gos or gode-sprede meaning ‘a man who speaks with others, chatterer,’ with influence from Old English gassa meaning ‘familiar talker’ and the phrase gossebode meaning ‘gossip, talk.’ The modern sense—informal talk about other people—emerged in the 14th–15th centuries as urban and courtly life popularized personal networks and rumor exchange. Early forms carried a lightly negative or neutral tone depending on intent; by the 18th century, gossip often implied idle talk or scurrilous rumors. The term evolved to cover both the act of sharing information and the content itself, including gossip about public figures or communities. Its usage reflects social dynamics around trust, propriety, and gossip’s power to shape reputations. First known usage appears in Middle English texts as gosisp (various spellings), with later standardization in Early Modern English as gossip—mirroring similar Germanic roots that emphasize communication and social interaction within a group.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "gossip" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "gossip"
-sit sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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