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jabber

C2
Uncommon

Pronunciation

UK

  • /dʒˈæbə/

US

    Meanings

    Verb

    1. to talk rapidly or unclearly

    Noun

    1. rapid or unclear talk

    Beyond the definition

    Picture someone talking very fast, with words pouring out so quickly that it is hard to follow. That is jabbering. It describes speech that is quick, nonstop, and often unclear. People might jabber when they are nervous, excited, or full of ideas and cannot slow down. It is not just ordinary talking; it suggests a rush of words that can sound messy or confused.

    Examples

    1. 1

      Excited children

      The children jabbered excitedly all the way home.

    2. 2

      Fast speech

      He was jabbering so fast that I missed half of what he said.

    3. 3

      Unclear conversation

      I couldn't understand what the tourists were jabbering about.

    4. 4

      Long phone call

      My sister jabbered away on the phone while I tried to sleep.

      • Phrasejabber away

        keep talking quickly for a while

    More examples
    1. 5

      Impatient command

      "Stop jabbering and tell me what happened," Dad said.

      • Caution

        "Stop jabbering" can sound impatient or rude

    See also

    Similar

    Shades of meaning

    Contrast

    Used with (collocations)

    • jabber away
    • jabber on
    • jabber excitedly

    Word family

    Explore

    • incoherent speech
    • small talk

    Forms and spellings

    4 forms open this card.

    Main spelling

    • jabberverbnoun

    Forms

    • jabbering-ing formverbnoun
    • jabbersverbnoun
    • jabberedpast tenseverbnoun