gargle
[ gahr-guhl ]
/ ˈgɑr gəl /
verb (used without object), gar·gled, gar·gling.
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), gar·gled, gar·gling.
to gargle (the throat or mouth).
to utter with a gargling sound.
noun
any liquid used for gargling.
a gargling sound.
QUIZZES
LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!
Are you learning Spanish? Or do you just have an interest in foreign languages? Either way, this quiz on Spanish words for animals is for you.
Question 1 of 13
How do you say “cat” 🐈 in Spanish?
Origin of gargle
1520–30; <Middle French gargouiller to gargle, rattle the throat, derivative of gargouille throat; perhaps imitative
OTHER WORDS FROM gargle
gargler, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for gargle
British Dictionary definitions for gargle
gargle
/ (ˈɡɑːɡəl) /
verb
to rinse (the mouth and throat) with a liquid, esp a medicinal fluid by slowly breathing out through the liquid
to utter (words, sounds, etc) with the throaty bubbling noise of gargling
noun
the liquid used for gargling
the sound produced by gargling
British informal an alcoholic drinkwhat was her favourite gargle?
Derived forms of gargle
gargler, nounWord Origin for gargle
C16: from Old French gargouiller to gargle, make a gurgling sound, from gargouille throat, perhaps 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
Medical definitions for gargle
gargle
[ gär′gəl ]
v.
To force exhaled air through a liquid held in the back of the mouth, with the head tilted back, in order to cleanse or medicate the mouth or throat.
n.
A medicated fluid used for gargling.throatwash
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.