What does slobber mean?
Slobber is an informal verb meaning to drool or let saliva run from the mouth, especially while eating, excited, unwell, or eager for something. It can also describe a person who covers another person or an object with saliva, as in slobbering someone with kisses. Figuratively, slobber can characterize speech or behavior that is excessively sentimental, enthusiastic, or lacking restraint. The word has an old-fashioned, slightly comic tone and is often used to describe children, animals, or people whose enthusiasm gets out of hand. Although it can sound harsh when applied directly to a person, it is more commonly humorous or gently teasing. As a noun, slobber means saliva, especially saliva that has been dribbled or spat out, and it can also refer to a person who drools or behaves in an overly enthusiastic manner.
To let saliva flow from the mouth, especially while eating, excited, unwell, or eager for something.
"The baby slobbered happily over the new spoon."
Informal; often humorous or mildly disapproving.
To cover or wet someone or something with saliva, especially through enthusiastic kissing or dribbling.
"The excited puppy slobbered over my hand."
Common in informal and affectionate contexts, but it can sound physically unpleasant when describing sustained or excessive drooling.
To express affection or enthusiasm in an exaggerated, sentimental, or undignified way.
"He slobbered his praise over the amateur performance."
Figurative and informal; usually conveys embarrassment, annoyance, or amusement.
Saliva, especially saliva that has been dribbled or spat out.
"There was slobber all over the tablecloth."
Usually treated as an uncountable mass noun in this sense.
The plural is used for the count sense referring to people who drool or behave in an overly enthusiastic manner. Saliva in the mass-noun sense is not normally pluralized.
"The two slobbers were competing to see who could finish the dessert first."
Slobber can describe both literal drooling and the kind of sentimental enthusiasm that leaves ordinary manners behind.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does slobber come from?
The exact origin of slobber is not straightforward, but the word appears in English with associations of drooling and wetness. Its figurative use developed from the physical image of saliva flowing from the mouth to describe exaggerated or undignified displays of affection and enthusiasm. The related adjective slobbery describes something wet, sticky, or conspicuously drooling.
Related word forms
How slobber is actually used
The word is informal and generally sounds dismissive or mildly comic. It is more common in British English than in formal American usage, and it can imply either literal wetness or exaggerated affection.