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noun

gibberish

JIH-buh-rihsh

Gibberish (noun) means Speech or writing that makes no sense or is impossible to understand. Example: “The instructions were written in total gibberish.”

noun
1
Speech or writing that makes no sense or is impossible to understand.
"The instructions were written in total gibberish."
"To someone who doesn't code, this script probably looks like gibberish."

How to use gibberish

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWords or writing that don't make any real sense — nonsense language.

Common pairings
talk gibberish sound like gibberish pure gibberish

Word forms

more gibberish comparative, gibberishes plural, most gibberish superlative

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The instructions were written in total _____.

Etymology

First recorded in the mid-1500s; likely imitative of chattering sounds, possibly related to "jabber," with the -ish ending as used in language names like "English" or "Spanish."

Origin: Spanish · First attested 1500

Class of 1500 gibberish joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →

Related words

Rhymes for gibberish

See all rhymes for gibberish →

Frequently asked questions

What does “gibberish” mean?

The word “gibberish” means speech or writing that makes no sense or is impossible to understand. In plain terms, words or writing that don't make any real sense — nonsense language.

How do you pronounce “gibberish”?

“Gibberish” is pronounced JIH-buh-rihsh (/ˈd͡ʒɪ.bə.ɹɪʃ/ in IPA).

How do you use “gibberish” in a sentence?

Here is “gibberish” used in a sentence: “The instructions were written in total gibberish.”

What is another word for “gibberish”?

Words with a similar meaning to “gibberish” include gibber.

What part of speech is “gibberish”?

“Gibberish” is a noun.

Where does the word “gibberish” come from?

The word “gibberish” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Spanish. First recorded in the mid-1500s; likely imitative of chattering sounds, possibly related to "jabber," with the -ish ending as used in language names like "English" or "Spanish.".

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