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Gurgle - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Gurgle means to make a bubbling or splashing sound, like water flowing quickly through a narrow space. It is often used to describe the noise of a stream, a baby’s laughter, or liquid draining.

gurgle

/ˈɡɝɡəl/ /ˈɡɜːɡəl/

Definition:

To make a bubbling sound, like water flowing or a baby's happy noise.

Synonyms:

bubble, burble, murmur, babble

Part of Speech:

verb, noun

Antonyms:

silence, hush

Common Collocations:

baby gurgles, water gurgles, gurgle happily, gurgle softly

Derivatives:

gurgling (adj), gurgler (n)

Usage Tips:

Use "gurgle" for liquid sounds or cheerful noises; avoid for loud or harsh sounds like roaring.

Common Phrases:

gurgle with delight, gurgle of a brook, gurgle down the drain

Etymology:

Imitative origin from Middle English "gurgelen," mimicking the sound of bubbling liquid.

Examples:

  • 1. The baby began to gurgle happily in her crib.
  • 2. We heard the stream gurgle as it flowed over the rocks.
  • 3. The coffee pot started to gurgle when it was ready.
  • 4. She let out a soft gurgle of laughter at the joke.

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