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

When “Saturday Night Live” returns this week, we’re likely to see him incarnated by the comedian James Austin Johnson, who uncannily recreates Mr. Trump’s fragmentary locutions and deteriorating speaking voice as it whipsaws from a bellow to a gargle to a whisper.

From Salon

I had just finished brushing my teeth and was about to gargle, so I went ahead and gargled.

From Seattle Times

I’ve had hiccups several times since then and have discovered that a quick gargle with water absolutely stops them.

From Seattle Times

"I'm now going to go home and gargle some honey."

From BBC

Some research has shown that using a turmeric gargle could reduce the side effects of radiotherapy in people with head and neck cancers, however.

From Salon