gargle

2 synonyms for gargle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To rinse the mouth or throat with liquid, tilting the head back and pushing air through it to make a bubbling sound.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

rinse

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

mouthwash

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To rinse the mouth or throat with liquid, tilting the head back and pushing air through it to make a bubbling sound.

“The doctor told him to gargle with salt water for his sore throat.”

rinse mouthwash

2. noun

A liquid used for rinsing the throat, or the act of gargling.

“He kept a bottle of antiseptic gargle by the sink.”

mouthwash

How to use gargle

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

gargle with salt water gargle mouthwash

Etymology

From French gargouiller, ultimately related to "gutter" and "throat" — the same root gives us "gargoyle."

Full origin of gargle →

Frequently asked questions

What does “gargle” mean?

The word “gargle” means to rinse the mouth or throat with liquid, tilting the head back and pushing air through it to make a bubbling sound.

How do you pronounce “gargle”?

“Gargle” is pronounced GAH-guhl (/ˈɡɑɹɡəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “gargle” in a sentence?

Here is “gargle” used in a sentence: “The doctor told him to gargle with salt water for his sore throat.”

What is another word for “gargle”?

Words with a similar meaning to “gargle” include mouthwash.

What part of speech is “gargle”?

Depending on how it is used, “gargle” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “gargle” come from?

The word “gargle” comes from French. From French gargouiller, ultimately related to "gutter" and "throat" — the same root gives us "gargoyle.".

How many meanings does “gargle” have?

“Gargle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to rinse the mouth or throat with liquid, tilting the head back and pushing air through it to make a bubbling sound.

People also searched

rinse mouthwash

Nearby words

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