Babble: meaning, definitions and examples

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babble

[ˈbab(ə)l ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

talking

To talk rapidly, incoherently, or nonsensically.

Synonyms

chatter, jabber, prattle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
babble	Babble is often used to describe incoherent or nonsensical talk, particularly when someone is speaking too quickly or in a way that's difficult to understand. It's often used with babies or very young children who are just starting to talk. She babbled on excitedly about her new toy The baby started to babble and coo
chatter	Chatter typically refers to light, casual conversation, often about unimportant matters. It's often used to describe the noise of people talking in a lively and continuous manner. The room was filled with the chatter of guests They chattered away happily over coffee
prattle	Prattle refers to talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way. It's often used to describe the chatter of young children or someone talking about trivial matters in a way that can be seen as silly or pointless. The old man prattled on about his childhood stories The students prattled during the break
jabber	Jabber is used to describe talking quickly and excitedly, but often in a way that's hard to understand. It can sometimes have a negative connotation, implying the speech is annoying or unimportant. I couldn't understand anything as he jabbered away in a foreign language The children jabbered excitedly about their day at the zoo

Examples of usage

He babbled on about his latest project.
The toddler babbled happily as he played with his toys.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

sound

The sound of people talking quickly and in a way that is difficult to understand.

Synonyms

chatter, murmur, mutter.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
babble	Babble is often used to describe someone talking rapidly and continuously in a way that doesn't make sense or is difficult to understand. This can be used for young children or someone speaking nervously or excitedly. The baby began to babble happily After drinking too much coffee, she started to babble about her day
chatter	Chatter is typically used for casual, light conversation, especially when multiple people are talking. It often implies a lot of talking about unimportant things. The children chattered excitedly during recess In the office, there's always some chatter about weekend plans
murmur	Murmur is used when people are speaking softly and unclear, often in a way that you can’t make out individual words. This can happen in settings like a library or a meeting. There was a murmur of agreement in the crowded room She heard the murmur of voices from the next room
mutter	Mutter is used to describe speaking in a low tone, often grumpily or complainingly. It carries a negative connotation, suggesting the speaker doesn’t want to be heard clearly. He muttered something under his breath about being late She muttered angrily when she realized the mistake

Examples of usage

The audience was a constant babble of voices.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from the Middle English 'bablen,' which means to talk or chatter.
It is believed to be mimetic, imitating the sound of meaningless chatter, similar to baby sounds.
The connection to 'babbling' in babies suggests an early form of language development.

Psychology

Babbling is an essential part of language acquisition, where infants practice making sounds before forming words.
Studies show that excessive background babble can affect a child's ability to learn new words and process speech.
In social situations, a quick rise in babble can indicate excitement or nervousness among groups.

Pop Culture

The term has been popularized in various movies and TV shows, often representing nonsensical talking between characters.
In children's shows, characters often babble in funny ways to engage young audiences and teach them about communication.
The phrase 'babble on' has made its way into common dialogue to signify unnecessary or excessive talking.

Communication

In linguistics, babble can refer to the nonsensical speech produced by children, which is crucial for learning language rules.
Babbling can also describe conversations filled with trivial matters that may not have substantial meaning.
During meetings or group discussions, the term 'babble' may refer to a lack of focus or coherence when too many people speak at once.

Art and Literature

Writers sometimes use 'babble' to describe characters engaged in meaningless chatter, adding realism or comic relief.
The phrase 'babble of voices' in poetry can evoke images of a lively crowd, enhancing the sensory experience of the reader.
Notable authors have used characters who babble to uncover themes of confusion or lack of communication in society.

Translations

Translations of the word "babble" in other languages:

🇵🇹 balbuciar

🇮🇳 बड़बड़ाना

🇩🇪 brabbeln

🇮🇩 mengoceh

🇺🇦 бурмотіти

🇵🇱 bełkotać

🇯🇵 ぶつぶつ言う

🇫🇷 bafouiller

🇪🇸 farfullar

🇹🇷 gevezelik etmek

🇰🇷 옹알거리다

🇸🇦 ثرثرة

🇨🇿 blábolit

🇸🇰 bľabotať

🇨🇳 喋喋不休

🇸🇮 blebetati

🇮🇸 blaðra

🇰🇿 былдырлау

🇬🇪 ბოდიალი

🇦🇿 mırıldanmaq

🇲🇽 balbucear

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,124, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
24121 kneading
24122 staking
24123 mister
24124 babble
24125 clang
24126 ridged
24127 mime
...