First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1bubble
noun, bub·ble often attributive \ˈbə-bəl\
: a tiny, round ball of air or gas inside a liquid
: a small ball of air in a solid substance
: a very light ball of air inside a thin layer of soap
Full Definition of BUBBLE
1
: a small globule typically hollow and light: as a : a small body of gas within a liquid b : a thin film of liquid inflated with air or gas c : a globule in a transparent solid d : something (as a plastic or inflatable structure) that is hemispherical or semicylindrical
2
a : something that lacks firmness, solidity, or reality b : a delusive scheme
3
: a sound like that of bubbling
4
5
: a state of booming economic activity (as in a stock market) that often ends in a sudden collapse
6
: the condition of being at risk of exclusion or replacement (as from a tournament) —usually used in the phrase on the bubble <teams still on the bubble for the play-offs>
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Origin of BUBBLE
Middle English bobel
2bubble
verb
: to form or produce bubbles
: to flow with the quiet sound of water moving over rocks
: to be very happy and excited
bub·bledbub·bling \ˈbə-b(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of BUBBLE
intransitive verb
1
a : to form or produce bubbles b : to rise in or as if in bubbles —usually used with up
2
: to flow with a gurgling sound <a brook bubbling over rocks>
3
a : to become lively or effervescent <bubbling with good humor> b : to speak in a lively and fluent manner
transitive verb
1
: to utter (as words) effervescently
2
: to cause to bubble
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See bubble defined for kids
First Known Use of BUBBLE
15th century
Related to BUBBLE
BUBBLED Defined for Kids
1bubble
noun bub·ble \ˈbə-bəl\
Definition of BUBBLE for Kids
1
: a tiny round body of air or gas in a liquid <bubbles in boiling water>
2
: a round body of air within a solid <a bubble in glass>
3
: a thin film of liquid filled with air or gas <soap bubbles>
— bub·bly \ˈbə-blē\ adjective
2bubble
verb
bub·bledbub·bling
Definition of BUBBLE for Kids
1
: to form or produce bubbles
2
: to flow with a gurgle <The brook bubbles over rocks.>
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