What does yakking mean?
Yakking is an informal English verb form meaning to talk at length, usually in a way that seems tedious, repetitive, or pointless to another person. As a present participle, it commonly follows a form of "be": "He was yakking about football," and it can also function as a gerund in phrases such as "stop yakking." The related noun refers to an instance or stretch of such talk. Although both British and American speakers use the word, it is chiefly conversational and often mildly critical or impatient. Yakking is therefore stronger than the neutral "talking" because it implies that the speaker sees the speech as excessive or lacking purpose; context and tone can make that judgment milder. The word is especially useful when describing conversation that has wandered far from its point or when urging someone to be brief. Its common collocations—starting, continuing, or stopping yakking—make its central meaning immediately clear.
To talk at length, especially in a way that is tedious, repetitive, or pointless.
"She was yakking on the phone while I was trying to work."
Most often used as a present participle or gerund in informal speech.
An act or period of talking at length, especially tiresomely.
"The meeting ended after an hour of yakking."
Relatively uncommon as a standalone noun compared with its use as a participle or gerund.
Rare; yakking is much more commonly used as a participle or gerund than as a countable noun.
"The recordings captured the yakkings of several self-proclaimed experts."
Yakking is what conversation becomes when saying it takes longer than the point.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does yakking come from?
Yakking derives from the English verb "yak," a long-established informal term for prolonged or tedious talk. The precise origin of that verb is uncertain; a connection with the vocalizations of the yak has been proposed, but it is not securely established. English also uses "yacking" as a variant spelling of the present participle.
How yakking is actually used
Informal and generally mildly critical or impatient. It is less neutral than "talking" and often suggests that the speech is excessive, tedious, or has wandered from the point.
Easily confused with yakking
Yacking is a variant spelling of yakking, with the same meaning of talking at length.
Yanking means pulling or moving something sharply, whereas yakking means talking at length.