verb
gargle
GAH-guhl
Gargle (verb) means to rinse the mouth or throat with liquid, tilting the head back and pushing air through it to make a bubbling sound. Example: “The doctor told him to gargle with salt water for his sore throat.”
verb
1
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."
"She gargled mouthwash before the interview."
noun
1
A liquid used for rinsing the throat, or the act of gargling.
"He kept a bottle of antiseptic gargle by the sink."
How to use gargle
Learner’s notes
Common pairings
gargle with salt water
gargle mouthwash
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Word forms
- Plural
- gargles
- Third person singular
- gargles
- Past tense
- gargled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The doctor told him to _____ with salt water for his sore throat.
Etymology
From French gargouiller, ultimately related to "gutter" and "throat" — the same root gives us "gargoyle."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
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.
