What does jabbered mean?
Jabbered is the past tense and past participle of the verb jabber, meaning to talk rapidly and continuously. The word is especially used when someone's speech sounds hurried, excited, indistinct, or nonsensical. It can refer to a person talking at length without making a clear point, but it can also describe the meaningless noise of a faulty machine or radio. Jabbered generally has an informal, slightly negative or playful tone rather than the neutral quality of talked or spoke. It is useful when describing speech that has become difficult to follow because of its speed, volume, or confusion. Although jabbered sometimes suggests meaningless chatter, it does not require the speech to be literally nonsensical; rapid conversation that overwhelms a listener may also qualify.
verb (past tense and past participle of jabber)The past tense and past participle of jabber: to talk rapidly and continuously, especially in an excited, indistinct, or nonsensical manner.
- To talk rapidly and continuously, especially in an excited, indistinct, or nonsensical manner.
"She jabbered into the phone while the train rocked."
"She jabbered into the phone while the train rocked."
"The old radio jabbered with static."
Jabbered captures speech moving so quickly that the words seem to outrun the listener.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jabbered come from?
The base verb jabber originated in Middle English and draws on Middle Dutch jabberen, a word associated with chattering or talking rapidly. Its development preserved the idea of speech that is fast, continuous, and often indistinct. Jabbered is simply the regular past tense and past participle of that older verb.
Related word forms
How jabbered is actually used
Informal and often mildly dismissive. It can describe excited chatter or any speech that is difficult to understand, and it is common in both British and American English.
Easily confused with jabbered
Jabbered emphasizes rapid, excited, or indistinct speech, whereas babbled often suggests continuous talk that is disorganized or lacking clear meaning.