Gabble: meaning, definitions and examples

Gabble is used when someone speaks quickly and unintelligibly, often out of excitement or nervousness.

• The children began to gabble excitedly about their day at school.
• He was so nervous during the interview that he started to gabble.

Prattle refers to talking at length in a foolish or inconsequential way. It has a negative connotation.

• The old man would prattle on about his childhood, much to the annoyance of his listeners.
• The meeting was filled with prattle that contributed nothing to the discussion.

Chatter refers to continuous and sometimes trivial talking, often among a group of people. It can be friendly but sometimes annoying.

• The office was filled with the chatter of colleagues catching up after the weekend.
• She could hear the constant chatter of birds outside her window.

Jabber describes speaking rapidly and excitedly in a way that is hard to understand, usually in a slightly chaotic manner. This has a mildly negative connotation.

• She was so excited about her trip that she started to jabber about all the things she had done.
• The toddler jabbered away happily, even though no one could understand a word.

Used when someone is speaking quickly and in a way that is difficult to understand.

• She started to gabble nervously when she realized she had made a mistake
• The children gabbled excitedly about their field trip

Used when someone is speaking quickly and continuously, often about trivial matters. It can also describe the sound of things clicking or tapping together.

• The ladies chattered over tea, catching up on the latest news
• The monkeys chattered loudly in the trees

Used when someone is talking foolishly or rapidly, often in a way that does not make much sense. It can sometimes imply a degree of incoherence.

• The old man began to babble about the good old days
• Babies often babble before they learn to form words

Used when someone talks at length in a silly or inconsequential way. This word often carries a slightly negative connotation.

• He would prattle on about his achievements, much to our annoyance
• The children prattled away in the back seat