gurgle

American  

[gur-guhl] / ˈgɜr gəl /

verb (used without object)

gurgled, gurgling

1. to flow in a broken, irregular, noisy current.

   The water gurgled from the bottle.

   Synonyms:

   babble, burble, bubble

2. to make a sound as of water doing this (often used of birds or of human beings).

   Synonyms:

   babble, burble, bubble

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verb (used with object)

gurgled, gurgling

1. to utter or express with a gurgling sound.

   The baby gurgled her delight.

noun

1. the act or noise of gurgling.

gurgle British  

/ ˈɡɜːɡəl /

verb

1. (of liquids, esp of rivers, streams, etc) to make low bubbling noises when flowing

2. to utter low throaty bubbling noises, esp as a sign of contentment

   the baby gurgled with delight

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noun

1. the act or sound of gurgling

Other Word Forms

• gurgling
  adjective
• gurglingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of gurgle

First recorded in 1555–65; compare Dutch, Middle Low German gorgelen, German gurgeln “to gargle”; akin to Latin gurguliō “throat”

Explanation

To gurgle is to make a sound like bubbling or splashing water. Not to be confusing, but when you gargle mouthwash, you probably gurgle. People gurgle when they say something (or make a noise) with an accompanying wet, gurgling sound. Your stomach might gurgle too, especially when you're hungry. And liquid itself gurgles, like a stream that gurgles over rocks or sweet iced tea that gurgles from a bottle into your glass. Experts aren't sure if gurgle is an imitative word, from the sound itself, or if it's rooted in Latin.

Example Sentences

From the local designers of the Gurgle Pot comes this adorable stainless steel and silicone bird that whistles as it pours wine from its beak, drip free.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 16, 2023

Gurgle, gurgle, the budget is sinking When they first saw the budget, Congressmen of both parties let out a bipartisan howl.

From Time Magazine Archive

One, called Gurgle, plans a ten-mile drive between two taverns "to protest nothing."

From Time Magazine Archive

We mothers have the automatic line all sewed up and there's no Rip, Pop, Gurgle or Plop involved�just Sit, Cuddle, Nuzzle and Sigh with satisfaction.

From Time Magazine Archive

“But—” Gurgle, gurgle, the naiad spoke in my mind.

From "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordan