noun
squabble
SKWO-buhl
Squabble (noun) means a minor, petty argument. Example: “The siblings had a squabble over who got the last slice of pizza.”
noun
1
A minor, petty argument.
"The siblings had a squabble over who got the last slice of pizza."
verb
1
To argue over something trivial.
"The two neighbors squabbled over the property line for years."
"They squabbled about whose turn it was to do the dishes."
How to use squabble
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small, petty argument, or to argue over something minor.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
petty squabble
squabble over
family squabble
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like squabble.
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
- squabbles
- Third person singular
- squabbles
- Past tense
- squabbled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The siblings had a _____ over who got the last slice of pizza.
Etymology
First recorded around 1600, likely of Scandinavian origin and imitative in nature — related to Swedish and Norwegian dialect words meaning to chatter or prattle.
Class of 1600
squabble joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for squabble
See all rhymes for squabble →Frequently asked questions
What does “squabble” mean?
The word “squabble” means a minor, petty argument. In plain terms, a small, petty argument, or to argue over something minor.
How do you pronounce “squabble”?
“Squabble” is pronounced SKWO-buhl (/ˈskwɑːbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “squabble” in a sentence?
Here is “squabble” used in a sentence: “The siblings had a squabble over who got the last slice of pizza.”
What is another word for “squabble”?
Words with a similar meaning to “squabble” include barney, bicker, quarrel, wrangle, argue and tiff.
What part of speech is “squabble”?
Depending on how it is used, “squabble” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “squabble” come from?
The word “squabble” dates back to around 1600 and comes from Norwegian. First recorded around 1600, likely of Scandinavian origin and imitative in nature — related to Swedish and Norwegian dialect words meaning to chatter or prattle.
How many meanings does “squabble” have?
“Squabble” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a minor, petty argument.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include squabble:
