First Known Use: circa 1611
Dictionary
garrulous
adjective gar·ru·lous \ˈger-ə-ləs, ˈga-rə- also ˈger-yə-\
: tending to talk a lot : very talkative
Full Definition of GARRULOUS
1
: given to prosy, rambling, or tedious loquacity : pointlessly or annoyingly talkative
See garrulous defined for English-language learners
See garrulous defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Examples of GARRULOUS
- Salman grew ever more garrulous as the yellow liquid in the bottle went down; Baal couldn't recall when he'd last heard anyone talk up such a storm. —Salman Rushdie, The Satanic Verses,1989
- To an American reader in 1982, confronted with this garrulous, indefatigably quirky, I'm-just-typing-on-yellow-paper-and-associating-ideas-and-memories prose work of l936, such a judgment, by a presumably informed person, seems preposterous. —Joyce Carol Oates, New York Times Book Review,3 Oct. 1982
- He was not garrulous by any means. On the contrary, there was a fine reserve in his manner toward the entire domestic economy of his life which was all that is comprehended by the popular term, gentlemanly. —Theodore Dreiser, Sister Carrie,1900
- [+]more
Origin of GARRULOUS
Latin garrulus, from garrire to chatter — more at care
Related to GARRULOUS
- Synonyms
- blabby, chatty, conversational, gabby, talkative, loquacious, motormouthed, mouthy, talky
- Antonyms
- closemouthed, laconic, reserved, reticent, taciturn, tight-lipped, uncommunicative
Synonym Discussion of GARRULOUS
talkative, loquacious, garrulous, voluble mean given to talk or talking. talkative may imply a readiness to engage in talk or a disposition to enjoy conversation <a talkative neighbor>. loquacious suggests the power of expressing oneself articulately, fluently, or glibly <a loquacious spokesperson>. garrulous implies prosy, rambling, or tedious loquacity <garrulous traveling companions>. voluble suggests a free, easy, and unending loquacity <a voluble raconteur>.
GARRULOUSNESS Defined for Kids
garrulous
adjective gar·ru·lous \ˈger-ə-ləs\
Definition of GARRULOUS for Kids
: very talkative
Learn More About GARRULOUS
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up garrulous? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).