squabble
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have squabbledperfect
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has squabbledperfect 3rd person singular
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have been squabblingperfect progressive
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is squabblingprogressive 3rd person singular
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has been squabblingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am squabblingprogressive 1st person singular
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are squabblingprogressive
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squabblessingular 3rd person
-
squabblingparticiple
Past
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had squabbledperfect
-
were squabblingprogressive plural
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was squabblingprogressive singular
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had been squabblingperfect progressive
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squabbledsimple
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squabbledparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of squabble
1595–1605; probably < Scandinavian; compare Swedish dialect skvabbel a quarrel, gossip, Norwegian dialect skvabba to prattle
Explanation
A squabble is a fight but not necessarily a serious one. When we squabble, we have a little argument, probably about something not too important. Do you notice how squabble sounds kind of funny? That's a clue that a squabble is not the most serious kind of argument or fight. A loud, screaming fight would never be called a squabble. A small, silly discussion about something small or trivial is more of a squabble. Friends and family members squabble all the time.
Vocabulary lists containing squabble
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
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100 SAT words Beginning with "S"
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The Sea of Monsters
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Shell’s departure from Paramount was expected regardless of the Cipriani squabble, people familiar with the matter said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026
There was a time when the public picked a team in the Murdoch family’s squabble.
From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026
And like in any squabble, there will be a winner and a loser.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 25, 2026
The Olympians’ defense frustrated Palos Verdes quarterback Ryan Rakowski, who was ejected with 11:41 left after getting into a squabble with Leuzinger linebacker Samu Moala.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 10, 2025
We squabble in whispers and monosyllables about whose turn it is to wash: drying with a clammy tea towel isn’t as good as washing, which warms up your hands.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
