Gobbling - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English

Definition

^{Context #1 | Verb}

eating quickly and noisily

Gobbling refers to the act of eating quickly and noisily, often without proper manners or etiquette. It is typically associated with devouring food in a hasty and voracious manner. This behavior is commonly observed in animals such as turkeys, which make loud, gulping sounds while eating. Humans can also be described as gobbling when they eat hastily or greedily, paying little attention to table manners or social norms.

Synonyms

devouring, scarfing, wolfing down.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gobbling	Typically used to describe eating quickly and noisily, often in an undignified or childlike manner. The children were gobbling their food as if they hadn't eaten in days
devouring	Used when someone is eating very hungrily or consuming something with intense focus and eagerness. It can also refer to consuming non-food items like books or information. She was devouring the novel, unable to put it down until she finished
wolfing down	Conveys a sense of hurried and greedy eating, often with a hint of desperation or extreme hunger. After the long hike, they were wolfing down their meals at the campsite
scarfing	More informal and slang, often used when describing someone eating quickly and with great appetite, usually casual or fun situations. He was scarfing down hotdogs at the summer fair

Examples of usage

She was gobbling her food as if she hadn't eaten in days.
The children were gobbling up their Halloween candy as soon as they got home.

Interesting Facts

Culinary Traditions

Gobbling is often associated with Thanksgiving feasts in the U.S., where turkey is the star dish.
In many cultures, scenes of gobbling can symbolize abundance and celebration during meals.

Animal Behavior

Wild turkeys use the term 'gobbling' for their mating calls, which can be heard from quite a distance.
Gobbling is also a sign of excitement for many animals, indicating that they find food nearby.

Pop Culture

In cartoons, characters often gobble food to show how much they enjoy it in a humorous way.
The phrase 'gobble till you wobble' is often used in commercials to promote indulgent eating during holidays.

Health & Nutrition

Eating too quickly, or gobbling, can lead to digestive problems as the body struggles to keep up.
Mindful eating encourages slowing down to avoid 'gobbling' which can help with better digestion and savoring flavors.

Origin of 'gobbling'

Main points about word origin

The word originates from Middle English 'goblen,' which means to eat greedily.
It can be traced back to the sound that turkeys make, which is 'gobble.'

The word 'gobbling' originates from the Middle English term 'goblen', meaning 'to swallow greedily'. Over time, the word evolved to describe the act of eating quickly and noisily. The association with the sound made while eating, resembling 'gobble gobble', further solidified the definition. Gobbling has since become a common term used to depict fast and often uncouth eating behavior.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,960 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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32957 unromantic
32958 doffed
32959 campanile
32960 gobbling
32961 humidifier
32962 overcharging
32963 overrate
...

Gobbling Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations