What does guzzle mean?
Guzzle means to eat or drink greedily, usually with conspicuous speed or enthusiasm. A person might guzzle a large meal, gulp down several glasses of water, or be described as guzzling fuel while driving an inefficient vehicle. The word normally carries a negative or humorous connotation: it suggests greed, poor table manners, or consumption that is faster or more intense than necessary. Although it can be used neutrally in descriptions of sports, travel, or other demanding circumstances, the overall tone remains informal and often disapproving. As a noun, a guzzle is an act of greedy drinking or eating, though this use is much less common than the verb. Guzzle is especially useful when the manner of consumption matters, as in “guzzle down a meal,” where it emphasizes voracity rather than simply eating or drinking.
To eat or drink greedily, rapidly, or in large gulps; sometimes used figuratively for the excessive consumption of resources.
"They guzzled breakfast and hurried to catch the train."
Often transitive, but it can also be used intransitively. Its strong negative or humorous connotation distinguishes it from the more neutral consume or eat.
An act or instance of drinking or eating greedily.
"He finished the bottle in one spectacular guzzle."
The noun is uncommon in contemporary English and sounds more literary or deliberately exaggerated than the verb.
The noun is rare, but its regular plural is guzzles.
"The child was notorious for his enormous guzzles of fruit juice."
Guzzle has a throat-to-table history: its name is linked to an old word for the gullet.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does guzzle come from?
The verb appeared in the late 16th century, probably formed from the now-obsolete noun guzzle, meaning “gullet” or “throat.” That noun was borrowed through Old French from Latin guttula, a diminutive related to guttura, meaning “throat,” and ultimately connected with an Indo-European root associated with swallowing. The same broad root is reflected in words such as gullet and guttural.
Related word forms
How guzzle is actually used
The verb usually expresses disapproval or amused criticism because it suggests greed, lack of manners, or excessive consumption. It is common in informal British and American English but rarely used in formal writing.
Easily confused with guzzle
A gulp is a single swallow or an amount swallowed at once, whereas guzzle describes greedy, often rapid consumption.