Gobble: meaning, definitions and examples

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gobble

[ˈɡɒbəl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

eating quickly

To eat something quickly and in large amounts, often in a greedy or uncontrolled manner. Gobbling can also refer to eating food noisily or with little regard for manners.

Synonyms

devour, gulp, wolf down.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gobble	Best used to describe eating something quickly and greedily, often with sounds. It's often associated with a lack of manners. The kids gobbled up their candy as soon as they got home from trick-or-treating
devour	Best used when someone is eating with great enthusiasm and in large amounts. It can be used both literally and metaphorically. He devoured the entire pizza by himself / She devoured the novel in one sitting
wolf down	Best used to describe eating very quickly due to hunger or lack of time, often with a sense of urgency. He wolfed down his breakfast before running out the door to catch the bus
gulp	Best used to describe drinking quickly and in large amounts at once. It can also be used metaphorically to describe swallowing emotions or words. After the long run, he gulped down the water / She gulped nervously before speaking in front of the crowd

Examples of usage

He gobbled up his dinner in just a few minutes.
The children were gobbling down their Halloween candy.
She was so hungry that she gobbled her sandwich without even tasting it.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

making a noise

To make the sound of a turkey or similar bird. This can also refer to making a noise while eating in a messy or hurried way.

Synonyms

chirp, cluck, gurgle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gobble	Used when describing someone or something eating quickly and greedily. It can have a slightly negative connotation when referring to people. He got so hungry that he began to gobble his food without even tasting it. The children gobbled up their ice cream before it melted.
cluck	Commonly used to describe the sound made by chickens. Can also be used metaphorically to describe someone making a fuss or showing disapproval. The chickens clucked loudly in the coop. She clucked her tongue in disapproval when she saw the mess.
chirp	Typically used to describe the light and cheerful sound made by small birds or insects. Can also describe a high-pitched, happy sound in a broader context. The birds started to chirp as the sun rose. She chirped happily when she received the news.
gurgle	Refers to a bubbling sound, often used to describe the sound of water or the sounds made by a baby. The stream gurgled as it flowed over the rocks. The baby gurgled happily in his crib.

Examples of usage

The turkeys were gobbling in the farmyard.
He gobbled his food so loudly that it was hard to carry on a conversation.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from the Middle English 'goblen', which means 'to swallow or devour'.
It became popular in the 16th century to describe the sound a turkey makes, which resembles its hurried feeding.
The term 'gobble' was first recorded in literature in reference to the gobbling noise made by turkeys.

Pop Culture

In American culture, the turkey's gobble is associated with Thanksgiving, symbolizing feasting and family gatherings.
The character of the 'Gobble Monster' made a humorous appearance in children’s cartoons, promoting fun around eating.
The phrase 'gobble it up' is often used in advertising to suggest items are so good they won't last long.

Animal Behavior

Turkeys are known to gobble not only during feeding but also as a way to communicate, especially among males during mating season.
Gobbles can serve as a warning call to other turkeys about possible predators nearby.
The gobbling sound made by a turkey can travel several miles, making it effective for communication in their natural habitat.

Psychology

Research shows that rapid eating, like gobbling, can lead to overeating because it disrupts the body’s natural fullness signals.
Mindful eating encourages savoring food to enhance enjoyment, contrasting the hurried approach implied by 'gobbling'.
Some stress eating behaviors are linked to rapid eating patterns where individuals 'gobble' food as a coping mechanism.

Literature

Children's books often use the word 'gobble' to create fun imagery related to animals or festive meals.
In poetry, 'gobble' can invoke playful sounds and lively depictions of feasting, capturing the essence of celebration.
Authors frequently employ 'gobble' in comical contexts to illustrate characters enjoying food in exaggerated ways.

Translations

Translations of the word "gobble" in other languages:

🇵🇹 engolir

🇮🇳 निगलना

🇩🇪 verschlingen

🇮🇩 menelan

🇺🇦 ковтати

🇵🇱 połykać

🇯🇵 飲み込む (nomikomu)

🇫🇷 engloutir

🇪🇸 tragar

🇹🇷 yutmak

🇰🇷 삼키다 (samkida)

🇸🇦 ابتلع (ibtalaʿa)

🇨🇿 polykat

🇸🇰 prehĺtať

🇨🇳 吞咽 (tūnyàn)

🇸🇮 požirati

🇮🇸 gleypa

🇰🇿 жұту

🇬🇪 გადაყლაპვა (gadaqlapva)

🇦🇿 udmaq

🇲🇽 tragar

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,177 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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...