Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Gargle

//ˈɡɑːɡəl// noun, verb, slang

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A liquid used for gargling. countable, uncountable

    "But the case was pressing, and the nearest medical practitioner was sent for. On examining the throat, he expressed his desire that a physician should be called in, and accordingly a gentleman, duly authorized, made his appearance, and prescribed gargles and diluents secundem artem."

  2. 2
    Obsolete form of gargoyle. alt-of, obsolete
  3. 3
    the sound produced while gargling wordnet
  4. 4
    The sound or act of gargling. countable
  5. 5
    a medicated solution used for gargling and rinsing the mouth wordnet
Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    Lager or other alcoholic drink. countable, slang, uncountable
Verb
  1. 1
    To clean one's mouth by holding water or some other liquid in the back of the mouth and blowing air out from the lungs. intransitive

    "She hated the poisoned feeling in her throat, and no matter how often she gargled she felt unclean and disgusting."

  2. 2
    rinse one's mouth and throat with mouthwash wordnet
  3. 3
    To make a sound like the one made while gargling. intransitive
  4. 4
    utter with gargling or burbling sounds wordnet
  5. 5
    To clean a specific part of the body by gargling (almost always throat or mouth). transitive

    "They don't gargle their throats with anything stronger than coffee at this tavern."

Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    To use (a liquid) for purposes of cleaning one's mouth or throat by gargling. transitive

    "Every morning he gargled a little cheap Scotch."

  2. 7
    To perform oral sex on (a person or genitals). slang, transitive

    "I'd like to gargle his marbles."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From French gargouiller (“to gargle”), from Old French gargouille, gargole (“gutter, throat”). Compare gargoyle and Spanish garganta. Displaced non-native Middle English gargargisen (“to gargle”) from Latin, and native Old English swillan (“to gargle”) (ancestor of English swill).

Etymology 2

From French gargouiller (“to gargle”), from Old French gargouille, gargole (“gutter, throat”). Compare gargoyle and Spanish garganta. Displaced non-native Middle English gargargisen (“to gargle”) from Latin, and native Old English swillan (“to gargle”) (ancestor of English swill).

See also for "gargle"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: gargle