gargle

[ gahr-guhl ]

verb (used without object)

, gar·gled, gar·gling.

1. to wash or rinse the throat or mouth with a liquid held in the throat and kept in motion by a stream of air from the lungs.

verb (used with object)

, gar·gled, gar·gling.

1. to gargle (the throat or mouth).
2. to utter with a gargling sound.

noun

1. any liquid used for gargling.
2. a gargling sound.

gargle

/ ˈɡɑːɡəl /

verb

1. to rinse (the mouth and throat) with a liquid, esp a medicinal fluid by slowly breathing out through the liquid
2. to utter (words, sounds, etc) with the throaty bubbling noise of gargling

noun

1. the liquid used for gargling
2. the sound produced by gargling
3. informal.
   an alcoholic drink

   what was her favourite gargle?

Derived Forms

• ˈgargler, noun

Other Words From

• gargler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gargle¹

1520–30; < Middle French gargouiller to gargle, rattle the throat, derivative of gargouille throat; perhaps imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of gargle¹

C16: from Old French gargouiller to gargle, make a gurgling sound, from gargouille throat, perhaps of imitative origin

Example Sentences

I shouted, “They were never your family,” but it sounded like gargles and whimpers.

From Literature

First, internet healers falsely suggested that gargling salt water and vinegar could prevent a coronavirus infection.

From Salon

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is in the race and gargling a box of razors.

From Salon

"It sounded like he was choking, a gargling kind of noise," she said.

From BBC

But after getting a blinding eyeful of what a mouth that looked like it had gargled in Clorox looks like, I don't want that either.

From Salon