squabble
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
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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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.
There was a time when the public picked a team in the Murdoch family’s squabble.
From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026
This makes Anthropic’s squabble with the Pentagon over the use of its tools even more disturbing and shortsighted.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026
And like in any squabble, there will be a winner and a loser.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 25, 2026
They would raise a glass to that if it happens and leave the politicians to squabble over who fought Scotch's corner the hardest.
From BBC • Sep. 16, 2025
The election came, Mr. Buchanan was elected, and the endorsement, such as it was, was secured At length, a squabble springs up...”
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
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.
