gabble

[ gab-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, gab·bled, gab·bling.

1. to speak or converse rapidly and unintelligibly; jabber.
2. (of hens, geese, etc.) to cackle.

verb (used with object)

, gab·bled, gab·bling.

1. to utter rapidly and unintelligibly.

noun

1. rapid, unintelligible talk.
2. any quick succession of meaningless sounds.

gabble

/ ˈɡæbəl /

verb

1. to utter (words, etc) rapidly and indistinctly; jabber
2. intr (of geese and some other birds or animals) to utter rapid cackling noises

noun

1. rapid and indistinct speech or noises

Derived Forms

• ˈgabbler, noun

Other Words From

• gabbler noun
• outgabble verb (used with object) outgabbled outgabbling

Word History and Origins

Origin of gabble¹

First recorded in 1570–80; perhaps from Middle Dutch gabbelen, or an expressive formation in English; gab ¹, gob ⁴, -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of gabble¹

C17: from Middle Dutch gabbelen , of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Hugo House is steamy by comparison, a hotbed of nerves and gabble.

From Seattle Times

He poked his head into the doorway and began to gabble good-naturedly about something or other, and after a few minutes we picked up our drinks and followed him back to the living room.

From Literature

“Trust,” I say, gabbling in the release of endorphins, in a delirium, lying on my back on the wide, flat rock.

From New York Times

Harvey’s first collaboration with John Parish, Dance Hall at Louse Point, at its most strange and unpredictable: a gabbled, whispered vocal over a chaotic backing that occasionally resolves into something like an alt-rock chorus.

From The Guardian

After a while the kid learned so fast she gave out of Spanish and just gabbled along with made-up sounds.

From Literature