✅ Gossip refers to lighthearted talk about the private lives of other people, especially celebrities (I heard some gossip today at the store).

✅ Hearsay refers to unverified or unofficial information or rumor (He avoided spreading hearsay).

✅ Gossip and hearsay both refer to information about someone or something that is not verified and is often sensational (The community relied on gossip).

✅ Gossip particularly suggests unofficial news or rumor that is light. Hearsay suggests gossip that is more widespread and may be more serious or even malicious (The evidence was all hearsay).

✅ Devoted describes having an emotionally powerful affection or loyalty (a devoted fanbase).

✅ Devout describes being pious, religious, or more generally earnest and sincere (a community of devout followers).

✅ Devoted and devout have similar meanings. Both suggest a strong emotional connection to someone or something.

✅ Devout suggests a strong connection to a religion or having an almost religious allegiance to something (a devout vegetarian). Devoted doesn’t suggest religion in the same way (devoted to a political cause; devoted to his family).

✅ A platform is a raised surface that can be used by performers or speakers (The speaker climbed onto the platform and adjusted the microphone).

✅ A podium is a smaller raised surface to be used by a speaker, by someone receiving a medal, or similar (The politician delivered an inspiring speech from the podium).

✅ Both platform and podium refer to areas that are raised in order to make someone visible to a crowd.

✅ Platform has a wider use than podium: it can refer to any raised surface or even a policy held by a politician or group (The party's platform emphasized the need for economic reform).