Babbling Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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babbling

[ˈbab(ə)lɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in speech

Talking rapidly and continuously in a foolish, excited, or incomprehensible way.

Synonyms

jabbering, prattling, rambling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
babbling	Used when someone is talking quickly and excitedly, often without making much sense. It's sometimes used to describe the way a young child talks. The baby was babbling happily in his crib. She started babbling about her weekend plans, but I couldn't keep up.
prattling	Used for light, trivial, and often continuous talk, especially when talking about unimportant things. It can carry a mildly negative connotation, suggesting the speaker is wasting time. She spent the afternoon prattling about her new hobby. Instead of getting straight to the point, he just kept prattling.
jabbering	Used when someone is talking very quickly and in a manner that is difficult to understand. It often implies a sense of urgency or nervousness. The children were jabbering excitedly about their upcoming trip. He was jabbering on the phone, and I couldn't catch a single word he was saying.
rambling	Used when someone is talking in a long-winded, often disorganized way, moving from one subject to another with no clear structure. It can be seen as unfocused and tedious. His speech was more of a rambling monologue than a coherent presentation. I tried to follow her story, but she kept rambling without any clear direction.

Examples of usage

She was babbling on about her new job.
The baby was babbling happily to himself.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in water

The sound of flowing water, typically a brook or a stream.

Synonyms

gurgling, murmuring, rippling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
babbling	Same as the first 'babbling,' it describes quick, incoherent talk or the sound of a small flowing stream. She was babbling on the phone for hours The babbling brook was a beautiful sight in the forest
murmuring	Used to describe a low, continuous sound made by people who are speaking quietly or in the background noise of nature, like leaves rustling. There was a constant murmuring of voices in the crowded cafe The trees were murmuring in the gentle breeze
gurgling	Often describes a liquid flowing in a sounding manner, like a baby trying to talk, or water moving through pipes. The baby was gurgling happily in his crib We could hear the water gurgling as it flowed down the drain
rippling	Describes the effect of small waves on water, or a sound that progresses in small waves, like laughter or music. He watched the rippling of the pond's surface Her laughter came rippling through the room

Examples of usage

The babbling brook created a peaceful atmosphere.
We could hear the gentle babbling of the stream.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'babbling'

The word 'babbling' originated from Middle English 'babelen', which in turn came from Middle Dutch 'babbeln' meaning 'to talk foolishly'. The sense of 'flowing water' was added in the 16th century. Over time, the word has retained its original meaning in speech while also adopting a new meaning related to water sounds.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,359, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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22359 babbling
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