WordGarden.ioslobber
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /slˈɒbə/
US
- /ˈslɑbər/
Meanings
Verb
to let saliva run from the mouth
(informal)to gush over or fawn on someone or something excessively
Noun
saliva dripping from the mouth
Beyond the definition
You might see a happy dog slobber when you grab its leash for a walk. In the most basic sense, the word means to let saliva run out of the mouth in a messy way. People can slobber too, especially babies or someone eating carelessly. It can also be used in a figurative way. If someone slobbers over a movie star or a new gadget, they are showing too much admiration or excitement.
To slobber usually means to let saliva fall from the mouth in a wet, messy way. A dog waiting for food may slobber on the floor, and a baby may slobber on a bib or toy. The word often suggests more mess than the simple word "drool," so it can sound a little informal or unflattering.
The word can also be used figuratively, especially in the pattern slobber over. In that sense, it means to admire someone or something too much, in a way that seems excessive or silly. If a fan slobbers over a famous actor, or a reviewer slobbers over a new phone, the idea is not just strong praise. It is praise with very little restraint.
Context matters. In literal use, the word describes saliva and physical mess. In figurative use, it usually carries a negative tone and suggests over-the-top excitement or admiration. So slobber can describe a dog with a wet mouth, but it can just as easily describe a person who cannot stop praising something they love.
Examples
- 1
Pet behavior
The dog ran over and slobbered on my hand.
- 2
Baby care
She picked up the baby and noticed slobber on her shirt.
- 3
Tech hype
Some tech blogs were already slobbering over the company's new phone before it was even released.
- Patternslobber over + thing
show too much excitement or admiration for it
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- slobbernounverb
Forms
- slobbering-ing formverbnoun
- slobberedpast tenseverbnoun
- slobbersverbnoun