Definition of rabble
1 : a disorganized or confused collection of things
2a : a disorganized or disorderly crowd of people : mobb : the lowest class of people
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Examples of rabble in a sentence
the crown prince was reminded that even the rabble of the realm deserved his attention and compassion
Did You Know?
Rabble has been with the English language since its appearance in Middle English (as "rabel") in the late 1300s. It may have come from the Middle English verb "rabel" which meant "to babble." (Despite the similarity in sound and meaning, however, "babble" and "rabble" are unrelated.) The verb "rabel" is related to Middle Dutch "rabbelen" and Low German rabbeln, meaning "to chatter." So how do we get from babbling to crowds of people? The connection may be the idea of confusion. "Rabble," in its earliest uses could not only indicate a pack of animals, swarm of insects, or a confused collection of things, but could also indicate a confused or meaningless string of words.
Origin and Etymology of rabble
Middle English rabel pack of animals
First Known Use: 14th century
rabble
Definition of rabble
rabbled
;rabbling
play \-b(ə-)liŋ\transitive verb
: to insult or assault by or as a mob
1644
First Known Use of rabble
1644
RABBLE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of rabble for English Language Learners
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: a large group of loud people who could become violent
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the rabble : ordinary or common people who do not have a lot of money, power, or social status
RABBLE Defined for Kids
Learn More about rabble
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See words that rhyme with rabble Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rabble Spanish Central: Translation of rabble Nglish: Translation of rabble for Spanish speakers
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