What does gabble mean?
Word: Gabble
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Gabble means to talk so fast that other people cannot understand what you are saying.
Synonyms: babble, prattle, chatter
How do you spell gabble?
Syllables: gab - ble
Tricky part: There is a double b, and the word ends in le. With only one b it becomes gable, the triangle-shaped top of a wall.
Watch out for: gabbel, gabbal, gabbul
Memory tip: Gabble, babble and dabble all share bble: two b's chattering together, then le.
Gabble in a sentence
Example 1: In his excitement, Rohan began to gabble about the match and nobody understood a word.
Example 2: Please don't gabble the poem; read it slowly and clearly.
Example 3: The two friends gabbled away on the phone for an hour.
Fun Fact
Gabble probably copies the sound of fast chatter, and it is related to gab, as in the phrase the gift of the gab.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Twins
Choose the words that correctly fill the blanks:
1. The hungry turkey began to ___ its grain. 2. Do not ___ your lines on stage; speak slowly so the audience can follow.
a) gabble/gobble
b) 'gabble' in both
c) 'gobble' in both
d) gobble/gabble
Show answer
d) gobble/gabble. To gobble is to eat greedily, while to gabble is to speak too fast.
Sound Check
Which word does not rhyme with gabble?
a) babble
b) scrabble
c) dabble
d) cable
Show answer
d) cable. Cable looks close but has the long ay sound; babble, dabble and scrabble rhyme with gabble.
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
lbegab
a) to speak in a quick, jumbled rush
b) to walk with short, unsteady steps
c) to eat noisily and greedily
d) to laugh quietly in a silly way
Show answer
a) to speak in a quick, jumbled rush. The six letters make gabble, a word for talk that tumbles out too fast.
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) chatter
b) whisper
c) mumbel
d) gabble
Show answer
c) mumbel. Mumble has its l before the final e.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Why is it unhelpful to gabble during a speech?
a) your notes fall on the floor
b) the hall becomes too warm
c) the microphone stops working
d) your main points get lost
Show answer
d) your main points get lost
2. What is a good tip for a speaker who tends to gabble?
a) keep your eyes on the floor
b) skip every second sentence
c) pause and breathe between lines
d) speed up towards the end
Show answer
c) pause and breathe between lines
