Synonyms

gobbledegook

American

[gob-uhl-dee-gook] / ˈgɒb əl diˌgʊk /

Or gobbledygook

noun

language characterized by circumlocution and jargon, usually hard to understand.

the gobbledegook of government reports.

Synonyms:

mumbo jumbo, bosh, double-talk, gibberish

gobbledegook British

/ ˈɡɒbəldɪˌɡuːk /

noun

pretentious or unintelligible jargon, such as that used by officials

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of gobbledegook

First recorded in 1940–45; fanciful formation from gobble ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He added something under his breath in Gobbledegook, and Gornuk laughed.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

“He speaks over two hundred! Mermish and Gobbledegook and Troll. “Anyone can speak Troll,” said Fred dismissively.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023