gurgle

[gur-guhl]

See more synonyms for gurgle on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), gur·gled, gur·gling.

to flow in a broken, irregular, noisy current: The water gurgled from the bottle.
to make a sound as of water doing this (often used of birds or of human beings).

verb (used with object), gur·gled, gur·gling.

to utter or express with a gurgling sound: The baby gurgled its delight.

noun

the act or noise of gurgling.

Origin of gurgle

1555–65; compare Dutch, Middle Low German gorgelen, German gurgeln to gargle; akin to Latin gurguliō throat

Related formsgur·gling·ly, adverb

Synonyms for gurgle

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1, 2. bubble, burble, babble.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for gurgling

giggle, cackle, fit, roar, crow, bubbling, shout, chortle, peal, snicker, chuckle, gesture, rejoicing, shriek, guffaw, giggling, howling, babbling, amusement, cachinnation

Examples from the Web for gurgling

Contemporary Examples of gurgling

They boil the leaves of the guayusa tree in the gurgling centerpiece, and gently sip its tea-like drink.
Bye Bye Latté, Hello Guayusa: Why The Amazon Holds the Secret to a Cleaner, Healthier Caffeine
Brandon Presser
August 29, 2014

Historical Examples of gurgling

There was trouble in that place—moaning, splashing, gurgling, and the clank of machinery.
American Notes
Rudyard Kipling
No sound was heard but the gurgling of blood that ran out in floods on the floor.
Japanese Fairy World
William Elliot Griffis
It has been described as a "rumbling" noise, but I think "gurgling" is better.
The Emma Gees
Herbert Wes McBride
White made a gurgling noise in his throat and held on to the desk for support.
The Green Rust
Edgar Wallace
The hag paused, cracked forth a gurgling scream, then proceeded.
The Secret of the Storm Country
Grace Miller White

British Dictionary definitions for gurgling

gurgle

verb (intr)

(of liquids, esp of rivers, streams, etc) to make low bubbling noises when flowing
to utter low throaty bubbling noises, esp as a sign of contentmentthe baby gurgled with delight

noun

the act or sound of gurgling

Derived Formsgurgling, adjective

Word Origin for gurgle

C16: perhaps from Vulgar Latin gurgulāre, from Latin gurguliō gullet

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

Word Origin and History for gurgling

gurgle

early 15c., medical term for "gurgling heard in the abdomen," a native, echoic formation, or ultimately from Latin gurguliare, perhaps via Dutch, German gurgeln. Extended (non-anatomical) use, in reference to water over stones, etc., is first recorded 1713. "This phenomenon of long specialized use before becoming a part of the general vocabulary is often found in English" [Barnhart]. Related: Gurgled; gurgling. As a noun from early 15c.