gab

¹ American  

[gab] / gæb /

verb (used without object)

gabbed, gabbing

1. to talk or chat idly; chatter.

   Synonyms:

   schmooze, rap, yak, visit, gossip, chitchat

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noun

1. idle talk; chatter.

gab ² American  

[gab] / gæb /

noun

Machinery.

1. a hook or fork that engages temporarily with a moving rod or lever.

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gab ³ American  

[gab] / gæb /

noun

Scot. Slang.

1. gob.

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gab ¹ British  

/ ɡæb /

verb

1. (intr) to talk excessively or idly, esp about trivial matters; gossip; chatter

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noun

1. idle or trivial talk

2. ability to speak effortlessly, glibly, or persuasively

gab ² British  

/ ɡæb /

noun

1. a hook or open notch in a rod or lever that drops over the spindle of a valve to form a temporary connection for operating the valve

2. a pointed tool used in masonry

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GAB ³ British  

abbreviation

1. Gabon (international car registration)

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gab Idioms  

1. see gift of gab.

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Other Word Forms

• gabber noun

Etymology

Origin of gab¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English noun gab, gabbe “deceit, falsehood, idle talk”; probably from Old Norse gabba “to mock”; cf. gabble

Origin of gab²

First recorded in 1790–95; origin uncertain; possibly from Dutch dialect gabbe “notch, gash”

Explanation

When you gab, you chatter on and on. You might like to gab on the phone with your friend after school. To talk and talk, especially about gossipy or trivial things, is to gab. Your dad might gab over the fence with the neighbor, and you may sit in the front of the bus so you can gab with the friendly driver. You can also describe the chatter itself as gab. The oldest meaning of gab may come from thirteenth century Scottish dialect, "to reproach," although it may in fact be rooted in the Old French gobe, "mouthful or lump."

Example Sentences

"Laurent had the good-natured gab, Simone the uncompromising discourse," French newspaper Le Monde said of the Gbagbos' political partnership.

From BBC • Sep. 12, 2025

It was a running joke that worked every time, but these segments made Kotb feel like a close friend you could gab with over margaritas after work.

From Salon • Jan. 10, 2025

Workplaces provided easy ways to form friendships or at least gab by the water cooler—a particularly important resource in a country where 15 percent of Americans have one close friend, if any.

From Slate • Nov. 26, 2024

Ryder’s professorial advocacy is undercut by the way she just seems to want to gab.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 28, 2024

“So, you two going to gab all day or order?”

From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt