First Known Use: 1602
Dictionary
squabble
1squabble
noun squab·ble \ˈskwä-bÉ™l\
Definition of SQUABBLE
:Â a noisy altercation or quarrel usually over petty matters
See squabble defined for kids Examples of SQUABBLE
- <frightened by noise of the squabble, the cat hid under the couch>
Origin of SQUABBLE
probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dialect skvabbel dispute
Related to SQUABBLE
- Synonyms
- altercation, argle-bargle [chiefly British], argy-bargy [chiefly British], battle royal, bicker, brawl, contretemps, controversy, cross fire, disagreement, dispute, donnybrook, falling-out, fight, hassle, imbroglio, kickup, misunderstanding, quarrel, rhubarb, row, scrap, set-to, spat, argument, tiff, wrangle
See Synonym Discussion at quarrel
2squabble
intransitive verb
: to argue loudly about things that are not important
squab·bledsquab·bling \-b(É™-)liÅ‹\
Full Definition of SQUABBLE
:Â to quarrel noisily and usually over petty matters
— squab·bler \-b(É™-)lÉ™r\ noun
Examples of SQUABBLE
- The children were squabbling over the toys.
- <the children squabbled loudly over who got to play with the toy first>
First Known Use of SQUABBLE
1604
Seen & Heard
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