What does garrulity mean?
Garrulity is the formal word for excessive talkativeness: the tendency to keep talking when brevity would be more useful, graceful, or tactful. It can describe a person's disposition or a particular stream of speech, though it is more often used critically than as a neutral label for sociability. In older literary and philosophical writing, the word often suggests ideas poured out in an unselective, sometimes tedious abundance. Modern speakers usually prefer conversational alternatives such as talkativeness, loquacity, or the plainer chatter, especially when describing everyday behavior. Garrulity is therefore useful chiefly where a formal or pointed register is wanted. It should not be confused with garrulous, the adjective: garrulity names the quality of talking too much, while garrulous describes someone who does so.
nounExcessive talkativeness, especially the habit of talking at length when brevity would be more useful or appropriate.
- Excessive talkativeness; the habit of talking at unnecessary length or with little regard for the social situation.
"Her garrulity turned a brief conversation into a long and often irrelevant discussion."
"His garrulity made the journey seem considerably longer than it was."
"The memoir is entertaining despite the narrator's persistent garrulity."
Rare; the uncountable singular is usual for the general meaning.
"The novel offers a comic portrait of the garrulities of provincial society."
From the Latin garrulus, meaning “chattering,” garrulity became a formal way to criticize those who cannot let a silence stand.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does garrulity come from?
Garrulity entered English in the early 17th century from French garrulité, ultimately from Latin garrulitas, a noun formed from garrulus, meaning chattering or talkative. The same Latin family supplied English garrulous and garrulously, which preserve the associated sense of excessive or habitual talkativeness.
How garrulity is actually used
Formal and somewhat literary; typically critical, often suggesting rambling, excessive, or socially indiscriminate talk. It is less common in everyday speech than talkativeness or chattiness.
Easily confused with garrulity
Garrulity is a noun naming excessive talkativeness, while garrulous is an adjective describing a person or manner of speech as habitually talkative.