gargle

[gahr-guhl]

verb (used without object)

gargled, gargling 

1. to wash or rinse the throat or mouth with a liquid held in the throat and kept in motion by a stream of air from the lungs.

verb (used with object)

gargled, gargling 

1. to gargle (the throat or mouth).

2. to utter with a gargling sound.

noun

1. any liquid used for gargling.

2. a gargling sound.

gargle

/ ˈɡɑːɡəl /

verb

1. to rinse (the mouth and throat) with a liquid, esp a medicinal fluid by slowly breathing out through the liquid

2. to utter (words, sounds, etc) with the throaty bubbling noise of gargling

noun

1. the liquid used for gargling

2. the sound produced by gargling

3. informal,  an alcoholic drink

   what was her favourite gargle?

Other Word Forms

• gargler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gargle¹

1520–30; < Middle French gargouiller to gargle, rattle the throat, derivative of gargouille throat; perhaps imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of gargle¹

C16: from Old French gargouiller to gargle, make a gurgling sound, from gargouille throat, perhaps of imitative origin

Example Sentences

“Self-care is important,” the monster responds in a voice that sounds like it brushes with charcoal and gargles with rocks each morning.

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If you've been spitting, rinsing and gargling after every brush, you might want to rethink that last step.

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“There is nothing more you can do!” came Roz’s gargling voice.

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People swallow or gargle the brews to combat routine bacterial infections.

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I shouted, “They were never your family,” but it sounded like gargles and whimpers.

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