What does squabble mean?
Word: Squabble
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Squabble means to argue noisily about something small or silly. It is also a noun: a squabble is a small, noisy argument.
Synonyms: argue
Antonyms: agree
How do you spell squabble?
Syllables: squab - ble
Tricky part: The b is doubled, and the q, as always, is followed by u.
Watch out for: squoble, squabbel, squable, skwabble
Memory tip: Two b's sit side by side and squabble with each other, right in the middle of the word.
Squabble in a sentence
Example 1: My brother and I squabble over the TV remote every evening.
Example 2: The crows squabbled over a piece of bread.
Example 3: It was only a small squabble, and they were friends again by lunch.
Fun Fact
Squabble has been in English since about 1600 and probably came from a Scandinavian word; a Swedish dialect still has skvabbel, meaning a dispute.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word:
squabble
a) grumble
b) quarrel
c) chatter
d) giggle
Show answer
b) quarrel. A squabble is a small quarrel; giggling, chattering and grumbling are something else.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
squ_bb_e
a) a, e
b) a, l
c) u, l
d) o, l
Show answer
b) a, l. After qu comes a, even though it sounds like o, and the word closes with -ble.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the correctly spelt word:
a) squabble
b) squeek
c) squirel
d) sqeeze
Show answer
a) squabble. Squeeze needs a u after q, squirrel has a double r and squeak ends in -eak.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
bqlubase
a) scramble
b) bubbles
c) quibble
d) squabble
Show answer
d) squabble. Scramble needs a c, an r and an m, quibble an i, and bubbles a third b; squabble uses all eight letters.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which scene shows a squabble?
a) two brothers arguing over the last samosa
b) two countries signing a peace treaty
c) a teacher explaining a sum
d) a choir singing together
Show answer
a) two brothers arguing over the last samosa
2. Which word could replace squabble in: The twins squabble over the window seat?
a) whisper
b) bicker
c) wander
d) bargain
Show answer
b) bicker
