I'm as imperfect as most people: Turnbull

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has brushed off questions about a 2014 incident when he reportedly swore at his predecessor Tony Abbott.

Malcolm Turnbull has brushed off questions about reports he swore at Tony Abbott in 2014. (AAP)

Malcolm Turnbull has conceded, when it comes to language, he's only human and may sometimes err.

But the prime minister insists he doesn't have a reputation for using bad language, unlike some of his predecessors.

Mr Turnbull, according to one media report, gave "a scathing, expletive-ridden assessment" of Tony Abbott's prime ministership in front of other cabinet ministers after a 2014 black-tie event in Sydney.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop insisted the supposed stoush didn't happen in front of her, while Mr Abbott's then chief of staff Peta Credlin says the former prime minister asked staff to keep shtum on the incident.

Mr Turnbull dodged questions about the incident on Thursday.

"I'm not into gossip. I will leave that to others," he told Karl Stefanovic on the Nine Network.

Later, he told Neil Mitchell on radio 3AW he didn't have a reputation for using bad language.

"I am very conscious of the need to ensure that my language is wholesome but I am imperfect and fail from time to time," he said.

"I'm as imperfect as most people in that regard but I do think we should all be very careful about the language we use and, of course, particularly when kids are around."