gurgle

play

verb gur·gle \ ˈgər-gəl \

Definition of gurgle

gurgled; gurgling play \ˈgər-g(ə-)liŋ\

intransitive verb

1 :to flow in a broken irregular current

the brook gurgling over the rocks

2 :to make a sound like that of a gurgling liquid

the baby gurgling in his crib

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gurgle

noun

See gurgle defined for English-language learners

See gurgle defined for kids

Examples of gurgle in a Sentence

The water gurgled through the pipes.
I was so hungry that you could hear my stomach gurgling.

Recent Examples of gurgle from the Web

Rushing, gurgling, falling over rocks and down waterfalls, the stream provides a perfect continuous background audio loop in an otherwise silent setting.

— author: james depasquale, Alaska Dispatch News, "A new Mat-Su map shows a special, hidden place," 11 Aug. 2017
As the boat made its way back to land, the heads started vocalizing, making what Ronje describes as gurgling grunts.

— michael greshko, National Geographic, "Why These Dolphins Behead Their Prey," 18 July 2017
Sewage gurgled from some overloaded manholes into the streets downtown, on East Las Olas Boulevard and in northwest Fort Lauderdale, public records and photographs show.

— brittany wallman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Fort Lauderdale sewage system overflowed into streets," 7 July 2017
But if emotions were gurgling within, Earnhardt has suppressed them well so far.

— brant james, USA TODAY, "Dale Earnhardt Jr. keeps emotions (mostly) in check in Daytona return," 30 June 2017
These kids smiled, giggled and then their tubes gurgled to show what’s at stake here.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Senate Republicans want to get to yes on the health care bill," 23 June 2017
The car chortled to life, its 8-liter W-16 engine, inches behind our heads, gurgling smoothly, as Wallace eased the car up the driveway and onto Pacific Coast Highway.

— charles fleming, latimes.com, "Driving the world's fastest, most luxurious supercar — the $3-million Bugatti Chiron," 9 June 2017
Its unwanted H2O is to gush and gurgle its way through the city’s sewers.

— martin weil and justin wm. moyer, Washington Post, "Mall’s Reflecting Pool to be drained and refilled," 9 June 2017
On the living room floor next to gurgling Illyria, Jamil shows photos of his father with a bullet hole in his head.

— alison bowen, chicagotribune.com, "Refugees escape violence and war, but anguish remains," 9 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gurgle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of gurgle

probably imitative

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1596

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gurgle Synonyms

Synonyms

bubble, dribble, guggle, lap, plash, ripple, splash, trickle, wash

Antonyms

pour, roll, stream

Related Words

eddy, purl, swirl; swash, swish, swoosh, whish; drip, drop; gush, jet, rush, spew, spout, spurt, squirt

Near Antonyms

run

GURGLE Defined for English Language Learners

gurgle

play

verb

Definition of gurgle for English Language Learners

: to make the quiet sound of water moving over rocks, through a pipe, etc.
: to make a sound like a liquid boiling or bubbling
of a baby : to make happy and quiet sounds

GURGLE Defined for Kids

gurgle

play

verb gur·gle \ ˈgər-gəl \

Definition of gurgle for Students

gurgled; gurgling

1 :to flow in a bubbling current

a gurgling stream

2 :to sound like a liquid flowing with a bubbling current

gurgle

noun

Definition of gurgle for Students

:a sound of or like liquid flowing with a bubbling current

Learn More about gurgle

See words that rhyme with gurgle Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gurgle Spanish Central: Translation of gurgle Nglish: Translation of gurgle for Spanish speakers

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gurgle

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