definitions

babble

[ bab-uhl ]
/ ˈbæb əl /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR babble ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), bab·bled, bab·bling.

verb (used with object), bab·bled, bab·bling.

to utter in an incoherent, foolish, or meaningless fashion.
to reveal foolishly or thoughtlessly: to babble a secret.

noun

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RELATED WORDS

gibberish, jargon, drivel, burble, blubber, mumble, mutter, murmur, gab, ranting, jabber, blubbering, gabble, gossip, prattle, clamor, chatter, gushing, muttering, jabbering

Nearby words

babbitt, babbitt metal, babbitt, irving, babbitt, milton, babbittry, babble, babbler, babbling, babbling brook, babblingly, babcock test

Origin of babble

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English babelen; cognate with Old Norse babbla, Dutch babbelen, German pappelen
Related formsout·bab·ble, verb (used with object), out·bab·bled, out·bab·bling.
Can be confusedbabble bauble bubble
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for babble

British Dictionary definitions for babble

babble

/ (ˈbæbəl) /

verb

to utter (words, sounds, etc) in an incoherent or indistinct jumble
(intr) to talk foolishly, incessantly, or irrelevantly
(tr) to disclose (secrets, confidences, etc) carelessly or impulsively
(intr) (of streams, birds, etc) to make a low murmuring or bubbling sound

noun

incoherent or foolish speech; chatter
a murmuring or bubbling sound
Derived Formsbabblement, nounbabbling, noun, adjective

Word Origin for babble

C13: compare Dutch babbelen, Swedish babbla, French babiller to prattle, Latin babulus fool; probably all of imitative origin
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