Crossword Genius

Listen to utter gossip (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hearsay

'gossip' is the definition.
(hearsay is a kind of gossip)

'listen to utter' is the wordplay.
'listen to' becomes 'hear' (I've seen this before).
'utter' becomes 'say' (saying is a kind of uttering).
'hear'+'say'='HEARSAY'

(Other definitions for hearsay that I've seen before include "Kind of rumour, makes bad evidence" , "Gossip or rumour - not allowed as evidence" , "rumoured" , "product of grapevine" , "Gossip passed around by word of mouth" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app