What does squab mean?
A squab is a small, often noisy argument, especially one between people who are disagreeing over something trivial. The verb squab describes the arguing itself: two people may squab over money, household chores, or a decision that others might consider minor. The expression carries a mildly humorous or dismissive tone, suggesting conflict that is petty rather than serious. In British English, squab is also a traditional word for a small bird, particularly a young pigeon or dove, though this meaning is much less frequent today. As a verb, it can emphasize the noisy or irritable character of an argument. Together, these meanings make squab useful for describing both familiar domestic disagreements and, more unusually, a particular class of small birds.
A petty or noisy quarrel or dispute; traditionally, also a small bird, especially a young pigeon or dove.
"Their argument was only a small squab, but it lasted all afternoon."
The quarrel sense is especially common in British English; the bird sense is traditional and relatively uncommon today.
To argue or quarrel noisily, especially over a trivial matter.
"The two classmates squabbled over the last chair in the room."
Informal and often suggests an unimportant but irritating disagreement.
The plural is used for multiple quarrels or, in the older bird sense, multiple small birds.
"The meeting ended in several squabs over the proposal."
Today, squab is most often a small argument, but its older meaning is delightfully literal: a young pigeon or other small bird.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does squab come from?
The precise origin of the word is uncertain, and its historical relationship to squabble is not securely established. Modern English uses the noun for both a petty dispute and, in an older sense, a small bird.
Related word forms
How squab is actually used
The noun and verb are most common in British English and often sound informal or mildly dismissive. The bird sense is traditional and less common in modern usage.
Easily confused with squab
A squab is a dispute or quarrel, while a squabble is the act of arguing noisily over something, often in a petty way.