confabulate

play

verb con·fab·u·late \kən-ˈfa-byə-ˌlāt\

Definition of confabulate

confabulated

;

confabulating

intransitive verb
1 : to talk informally : chat
2 : to hold a discussion : confer
3 : to fill in gaps in memory by fabrication A major characteristic of brain-damaged patients is the tendency to confabulate—to hide and dissemble about their damage. — Peter R. Breggin

confabulation

play \kən-ˌfa-byə-ˈlā-shən\ noun

confabulator

play \kən-ˈfa-byə-ˌlā-tər\ noun

confabulatory

play \kən-ˈfa-byə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective

confabulate was our Word of the Day on 12/07/2007. Hear the podcast!

Examples of confabulate in a Sentence

an Alzheimer's support group in which caregivers can confabulate as well as commiserate

Did You Know?

Confabulate is a fabulous word for making fantastic fabrications. Given the similarities in spelling and sound, you might guess that "confabulate" and "fabulous" come from the same root, and they do - the Latin fabula, which means "conversation, story." Another "fabula" descendant that continues to tell tales in English is "fable." All three words have long histories in English: "fable" first appeared in writing in the 14th century, and "fabulous" followed in the 15th. "Confabulate" is a relative newcomer, appearing at the beginning of the 1600s.