squabble Meaning & Definition
What Does Squabble Mean?
Squabble is a noun that means a noisy altercation or quarrel usually over petty matters. As a verb, it means to quarrel noisily and usually over petty matters.
Squabble: Key Facts
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈskwä-bəl/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | niggle, fuss and spat |
| Antonyms | coexist, get along and accept |
| Plural | squabbles |
| Verb forms | squabbles, squabbling, squabbled |
Squabble Definition (Noun)
- a noisy altercation or quarrel usually over petty matters
Squabble as a Verb
- to quarrel noisily and usually over petty matters
Synonyms of Squabble
Antonyms of Squabble
Squabble in a Sentence
The children got into a squabble about who should ride in the front of the car.
The brothers were always squabbling with each other.
to squabble type
frightened by noise of the squabble, the cat hid under the couch
the children squabbled loudly over who got to play with the toy first
Word Forms & Grammar
squabble
squabbles
squab·bled
squab·bling
squab·bler noun
squabbled
squabbler
squabblers
squabbling
squabble (plural squabbles)
squabble (third-person singular simple present squabbles, present participle squabbling, simple past and past participle squabbled)
Words That Rhyme With Squabble
Origin of Squabble
Origin 1: probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dialect skvabbel dispute
Origin 2: The noun form first appears c. 1602, while the verbal form first appears c. 1616. Probably of North Germanic origin and ultimately imitative.[1]
Origin 3: Related to Swedish dialectal skvabbel (“a dispute, quarrel, gossip”), Norwegian dialectal skvabba (“to prattle”), German dialectal schwabbeln (“to babble, prattle”), Swedish dialectal skvappa (“to chide, scold”, literally “make a splash”).
First Known Use
1602
1604
Squabble Pronunciation
You say squabble as /ˈskwä-bəl/. It has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (skwä).
Frequently Asked Questions About Squabble
Is squabble a noun or a verb?
Squabble is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for squabble?
Words with a similar meaning to squabble include niggle, fuss and spat. See the full list of squabble synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of squabble?
The opposite of squabble can be expressed with words like coexist, get along, accept and agree.
What is the plural of squabble?
The plural of squabble is squabbles.
What is the past tense of squabble?
The past tense of squabble is squabbled. The present participle is squabbling.