What does drivelling mean?
Drivelling is the present participle of the verb "drivel", which has two main senses. Figuratively, and by far the more common use today, it means to talk foolishly, incoherently, or at wearisome length about things of little importance; the derived adjective describes such speech or writing, as in a "drivelling speech". Literally, it can describe saliva running from the mouth, a sense most often applied to infants or the very ill. The word carries a strongly dismissive, contemptuous tone: calling someone's remarks drivelling is a blunt way of saying they are worthless nonsense. It derives from Old English "dreflian", meaning to slaver or drool, with the figurative sense of foolish talk developing later. The double-L spelling is standard British practice, while American English usually writes "driveling". Related forms include the verb "drivel", the noun "driveller" for a person who drivels, and the noun "drivel" for the nonsense itself.
Talking foolishly or tediously; producing silly, worthless talk. Also, less commonly, allowing saliva to flow from the mouth.
"He was drivelling on about his holiday plans while the meeting fell apart around him."
(Of speech or writing) silly, inane, or contemptibly worthless.
"She refused to sit through another drivelling after-dinner monologue."
The act of talking nonsense; foolish talk.
"Their conversation was pure drivelling, and I left early."
"Drivelling" literally once meant drooling — and English still uses it to describe speech so pointless it might as well be spit.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How drivelling is actually used
Chiefly British spelling; American usage typically writes "driveling". When applied to speech it is dismissive and mildly contemptuous, so it belongs to informal or polemical register rather than neutral prose.
Easily confused with drivelling
"Snivelling" refers to crying or whining while sniffing from a runny nose, whereas "drivelling" means talking nonsense or letting saliva dribble from the mouth.