gobble

¹

[ gob-uhl ]

verb (used with object)

, gob·bled, gob·bling.

1. to swallow or eat hastily or hungrily in large pieces; gulp.

   Synonyms: devour, bolt

2. to seize upon eagerly (often followed by up ):

   After being gone for so long, they gobbled up all the local news.

verb (used without object)

, gob·bled, gob·bling.

1. to eat hastily.

gobble

²

[ gob-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, gob·bled, gob·bling.

1. to make the characteristic throaty cry of a male turkey.

noun

1. the cry itself.

gobble

¹

/ ˈɡɒbəl /

verb

1. whentr, often foll by up to eat or swallow (food) hastily and in large mouthfuls
2. informal.
   troften foll byup to snatch

gobble

²

/ ˈɡɒbəl /

noun

1. the loud rapid gurgling sound made by male turkeys

interjection

1. an imitation of this sound

verb

1. intr (of a turkey) to make this sound

Word History and Origins

Origin of gobble¹

1595–1605; probably imitative; gob ¹, -le

Origin of gobble²

First recorded in 1670–80; variant of gabble

Word History and Origins

Origin of gobble¹

C17: probably from gob ¹

Origin of gobble²

C17: probably of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Bats, the only flying mammals, provide no-cost pest control by gobbling up insects — including ones that target crops.

From Los Angeles Times

To the millions who greedily gobbled up scuttlebutt about her legendary meanness over the years, this is far from a news flash.

From Salon

The ’65 Dodgers had three starters gobble up 49.2 of the 60 innings in the series.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s an example of how NAR readily gobbles up elements of other faiths.

From Salon

Why does half the population refuse to swallow blatant falsehoods while the other half gobbles them up like essential nutrients?

From Salon

Related Words

• devour
• gulp
• guzzle
• swallow