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 notesIn plain EnglishWords or writing that don't make any real sense — nonsense language.
Common pairings
talk gibberish
sound like gibberish
pure gibberish
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Word forms
- Plural
- gibberishes
- Comparative
- more gibberish
- Superlative
- most gibberish
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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."
Class of 1500
gibberish joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
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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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