gabble

[gab-uhl]

verb (used without object)

gabbled, gabbling 

1. to speak or converse rapidly and unintelligibly; jabber.

2. (of hens, geese, etc.) to cackle.

verb (used with object)

gabbled, gabbling 

1. to utter rapidly and unintelligibly.

noun

1. rapid, unintelligible talk.

2. any quick succession of meaningless sounds.

gabble

/ ˈɡæbəl /

verb

1. to utter (words, etc) rapidly and indistinctly; jabber

2. (intr) (of geese and some other birds or animals) to utter rapid cackling noises

noun

1. rapid and indistinct speech or noises

Other Word Forms

• gabbler noun
• outgabble verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of gabble¹

First recorded in 1570–80; perhaps from Middle Dutch gabbelen, or an expressive formation in English; gab ¹, gob ⁴, -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of gabble¹

C17: from Middle Dutch gabbelen , of imitative origin

Example Sentences

And Lucky’s monologue—veering inanely through realms including religion, academics and sports—is delivered by Mr. Thornton not, as it usually is, as a galloping pile of gabble, but with a musing seriousness.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Hugo House is steamy by comparison, a hotbed of nerves and gabble.

Read more on Seattle Times

He poked his head into the doorway and began to gabble good-naturedly about something or other, and after a few minutes we picked up our drinks and followed him back to the living room.

Read more on Literature

“Trust,” I say, gabbling in the release of endorphins, in a delirium, lying on my back on the wide, flat rock.

Read more on New York Times

Harvey’s first collaboration with John Parish, Dance Hall at Louse Point, at its most strange and unpredictable: a gabbled, whispered vocal over a chaotic backing that occasionally resolves into something like an alt-rock chorus.

Read more on The Guardian