cobble

1 of 2

verb

cob·​ble ˈkä-bəl 

cobbled; cobbling ˈkä-b(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

chiefly British : to mend or patch coarsely

2

: repair, make

cobble shoes

3

: to make or put together roughly or hastily

—often used with together or up

cobble together an agreement

cobble up a temporary solution

cobble

2 of 2

noun

1

: cobblestone

2

cobbles plural, chiefly British : lump coal about the size of small cobblestones

Synonyms of cobble

Verb

• patch (together)
• throw together
• knock together

Examples of cobble in a Sentence

Verb

expensive leather shoes cobbled in Italy

Noun

a street paved with cobbles

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Athletic has cobbled together a list of the 40 players most likely to make the cut for next summer’s tournament in Brazil. —Megan Feringa, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026

Accessibility Given its centuries-old structures and cobbled courtyard, not all areas of São Lourenço are easy to maneuver. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Apr. 2026

Noun

Adept at skilfully maneuvering guests and their belongings around the estate’s cobbles and dirt tracks on golf buggies, Sao Lourenco’s energetic team of young, enthusiastic staff provide warm-hearted service with care and charisma. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Apr. 2026

The unique roughness of the PR cobbles is his biggest obstacle. —Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English coblen, perhaps back-formation from cobelere cobbler

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cobble

• bauble
• gobble
• hobble
• labile
• squabble
• wobble
• cantabile

Kids Definition

cobble

1 of 2 verb

cob·​ble ˈkäb-əl 

cobbled; cobbling -(ə-)liŋ 

: to make roughly or hastily

—often used with together or up

cobble

2 of 2 noun

: a rounded stone larger than a pebble and smaller than a boulder