gabble

American  

[gab-uhl] / ˈgæb əl /

verb (used without object)

gabbled, gabbling

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

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

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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 British  

/ 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

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noun

1. rapid and indistinct speech or noises

Other Word Forms

• gabbler noun
• outgabble verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of gabble

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

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.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 29, 2025

At 41, he is disarmingly boyish, with a cherub’s fleshy face and a tendency to gabble enthusiastically when a subject excites him.

From New York Times • Jun. 2, 2016

The book consists entirely of the gabble and complaints of those buried in a village cemetery.

From Washington Post • Apr. 8, 2015

I mean gabble, gabble, gabble, gabble … Has she some new stories for you?

From The Guardian • Jan. 18, 2013

Music from an unseen orchestra was barely audible over the gabble of conversation.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo