What does drivel mean?
Drivel refers to talk or writing that is foolish, worthless, or utterly without substance. It functions primarily as an uncountable noun ('the report was sheer drivel') but can also serve as a verb meaning to utter such nonsense, or, in an older and now less common sense, to let saliva run from the mouth. The word carries strong contempt: calling something drivel dismisses it entirely rather than merely criticizing it, making it sharper than words like 'flawed' or 'weak'. It suits both casual complaint ('I can't listen to this drivel any longer') and formal critical judgment, and it pairs naturally with intensifiers such as 'utter' or 'sheer'. Derived from Old English roots connected to drooling and dribbling, it vividly implies that the offending speech is as mindless and involuntary as slobbering. For anyone needing a pointed, well-established way to condemn empty verbiage, drivel remains an effective choice.
Foolish, worthless, or nonsensical talk or writing; verbal rubbish.
"He filled his speech with sentimental drivel about teamwork."
Usually uncountable; strongly contemptuous.
To talk or write nonsense; to utter foolishness.
"Stop drivelling and say what you actually mean."
To let saliva run from the mouth, as when ill, drunk, or asleep.
"The feverish patient drivelled into his handkerchief."
Now somewhat dated; British spelling often doubles the 'l' (drivelled).
Very rare; 'drivel' is almost always used as an uncountable noun, so no plural form appears in ordinary use.
"Such drivels hardly merit a response."
'Drivel' once meant nothing more scandalous than drooling — the insult came from comparing bad writing to saliva.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of drivel
Drivel descends from the Old English verb dreflian, meaning to slaver or let saliva run, which itself may be imitative of the sound of drooling. Over the centuries its figurative use took hold: since drooling suggests mindlessness, speaking 'like one who drivels' came to mean talking nonsense, a sense established by the early modern period. It is closely related to the verb 'dribble', which shares the same Germanic root.
Related word forms
How drivel is actually used
As a noun, 'drivel' is uncountable and strongly pejorative — it signals contempt for the content of speech or writing rather than merely disagreement. It sits comfortably in both formal criticism and everyday complaint. The verb senses are now relatively rare compared with the noun.
Easily confused with drivel
Dribble means to flow in small drops or move a ball with small touches, while drivel means to speak nonsense or to slaver.