noun
gab
gab
Gab (noun) means Idle talk or chatter. Example: “The two of them sat over coffee for an hour of gab.”
noun
1
Idle talk or chatter.
"The two of them sat over coffee for an hour of gab."
verb
1
To talk a lot, usually about unimportant things.
"They gabbed on the phone for hours."
"Stop gabbing and get back to work."
How to use gab
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo chat casually and at length, usually about nothing important.
When to use it
Informal — used in everyday conversation, not formal writing.
Common pairings
gift of the gab
gab on the phone
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like gab.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- gabs
- Third person singular
- gabs
- Past tense
- gabbed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The two of them sat over coffee for an hour of _____.
Etymology
From Old Norse gabb, "jest, mockery," inherited via Middle English gab.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “gab” mean?
The word “gab” means idle talk or chatter. In plain terms, to chat casually and at length, usually about nothing important.
How do you pronounce “gab”?
“Gab” is pronounced gab (/ɡæb/ in IPA).
How do you use “gab” in a sentence?
Here is “gab” used in a sentence: “The two of them sat over coffee for an hour of gab.”
What part of speech is “gab”?
Depending on how it is used, “gab” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “gab” come from?
The word “gab” comes from Middle English. From Old Norse gabb, "jest, mockery," inherited via Middle English gab.
How many meanings does “gab” have?
“Gab” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: idle talk or chatter.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include gab:
