gurgle

American  

[gur-guhl] / ˈgɜr gəl /

verb (used without object)

gurgled, gurgling

1. to flow in a broken, irregular, noisy current.

   The water gurgled from the bottle.

   Synonyms:

   babble, burble, bubble

2. to make a sound as of water doing this (often used of birds or of human beings).

   Synonyms:

   babble, burble, bubble

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verb (used with object)

gurgled, gurgling

1. to utter or express with a gurgling sound.

   The baby gurgled her delight.

noun

1. the act or noise of gurgling.

gurgle British  

/ ˈɡɜːɡəl /

verb

1. (of liquids, esp of rivers, streams, etc) to make low bubbling noises when flowing

2. to utter low throaty bubbling noises, esp as a sign of contentment

   the baby gurgled with delight

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noun

1. the act or sound of gurgling

Other Word Forms

• gurgling adjective
• gurglingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of gurgle

First recorded in 1555–65; compare Dutch, Middle Low German gorgelen, German gurgeln “to gargle”; akin to Latin gurguliō “throat”

Example Sentences

The gurgle of the broken stillness fills my ears, and I slip into my zone and move with the rhythm that the fly demands.

From Literature

Something gave a gurgling howl and sank into darkness.

From Literature

Her baby sister gurgling helplessly in the background isn’t the only one utterly dependent on her maternal care.

From Los Angeles Times

The stream gurgled as we went across the field, Patch’s hand in mine.

From Literature

“But so far nothing too creepy has happened. I mean, it’s awfully dark outside at night. No weird noises, though, aside from creaking, popping, and pipe gurgle.”

From Literature