What does gobble mean?
Gobble is a word that combines an appetite with a sound. As a verb, it usually means to eat or swallow something quickly and greedily, as in “The children gobbled their lunch.” In this use it is informal and often suggests eagerness, hunger, or a lack of manners. Gobble can also describe the deep, gurgling noise made by a turkey or another bird. In its noun use, a gobble may refer to that sound or to a quick, greedy swallow. The word is found in both British and American English and is especially memorable because the same simple verb describes both voracious eating and a distinctive bird call. It is also commonly paired with the particles “up” and “down,” while “gobbler” is a familiar related term for a turkey.
To eat or swallow something quickly and greedily; to make a deep, gurgling sound, especially like that of a turkey.
"He gobbled the remaining biscuits in one go."
A quick, greedy swallow, or the characteristic gurgling sound made by a turkey or similar bird.
"The turkey gave a loud gobble from behind the fence."
The plural is used when referring to multiple swallowing sounds, quick swallows, or instances of the turkey-like call.
"The flock answered with loud gobbles from the barn."
One word can mean both to eat greedily and to make a turkey-like gurgling sound: gobble.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gobble come from?
The word dates from the early 17th century and is generally considered imitative, imitating a swallowing or gurgling sound. Its development is also associated with gob, an older English word for a lump or mouthful, although the precise relationship is not entirely clear. Gobbledygook is a later playful formation based on gobble, while gobbler is a derivative denoting one that gobbles.
Related word forms
How gobble is actually used
The eating sense is informal and often carries the connotation of greed, haste, or lack of table manners. The sound-making sense is especially associated with turkeys and similar birds.