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noun

drivel

drihv-uhl
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Drivel (noun) means Nonsensical or foolish talk or writing. Example: “He dismissed the report as complete drivel.”

noun
1
Nonsensical or foolish talk or writing.
"He dismissed the report as complete drivel."
verb
1
To talk nonsense or foolishly.
"She drivelled on for ten minutes without making a point."

How to use drivel

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSilly, meaningless talk or writing — used to dismiss something as not worth taking seriously.

When to use it

Mildly dismissive/informal; often used to criticise someone else's speech or writing.

Common pairings
sheer drivel talk drivel
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Word forms

Plural
drivels
Third person singular
drivels
Past tense
driveled, drivelled
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He dismissed the report as complete _____.

Etymology

Comes from Middle English dravel, dribil, formed as a noun from the verb drevelen, drivelen (see Etymology 2).

Origin: Middle English

Related words

Rhymes for drivel

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Frequently asked questions

What does “drivel” mean?
The word “drivel” means nonsensical or foolish talk or writing. In plain terms, silly, meaningless talk or writing — used to dismiss something as not worth taking seriously.
How do you pronounce “drivel”?
“Drivel” is pronounced drihv-uhl (/dɹɪv.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “drivel” in a sentence?
Here is “drivel” used in a sentence: “He dismissed the report as complete drivel.”
What part of speech is “drivel”?
Depending on how it is used, “drivel” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “drivel” have?
“Drivel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: nonsensical or foolish talk or writing.

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