First Known Use: 1602
Dictionary
1squabble
noun squab·ble \ˈskwä-bəl\
Definition of SQUABBLE
: a noisy altercation or quarrel usually over petty matters
See squabble defined for kids
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Origin of SQUABBLE
probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dialect skvabbel dispute
Related to SQUABBLE
- Synonyms
- altercation, argle-bargle [chiefly British], argy-bargy [chiefly British], battle royal, bicker, brawl, contretemps, controversy, cross fire, disagreement, dispute, donnybrook, falling-out, fight, hassle, imbroglio, kickup, misunderstanding, quarrel, rhubarb, row, scrap, set-to, spat, argument, tiff, wrangle
Synonym Discussion of SQUABBLE
quarrel, wrangle, altercation, squabble mean a noisy dispute usually marked by anger. quarrel implies heated verbal contention, stressing strained or severed relations which may persist beyond the contention <a quarrel nearly destroyed the relationship>. wrangle suggests undignified and often futile disputation with a noisy insistence on differing opinions <wrangle interminably about small issues>. altercation implies fighting with words as the chief weapon, although it may also connote blows <a loud public altercation>. squabble stresses childish and unseemly dispute over petty matters, but it need not imply bitterness or anger <a brief squabble over what to do next>.
2squabble
intransitive verb
: to argue loudly about things that are not important
squab·bledsquab·bling \-b(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of SQUABBLE
: to quarrel noisily and usually over petty matters
— squab·bler \-b(ə-)lər\ noun
First Known Use of SQUABBLE
1604
Related to SQUABBLE
SQUABBLE Defined for Kids
1squabble
noun squab·ble \ˈskwä-bəl\
Definition of SQUABBLE for Kids
: a noisy quarrel usually over something unimportant
2squabble
verb
squab·bledsquab·bling
Definition of SQUABBLE for Kids
: to quarrel noisily for little or no reason
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