Definition
excessively or pointlessly talkative or using too many words.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
adjective.
Synonyms
talkative, loquacious, verbose, chatty, voluble, fluent, wordy, long-winded, rambling, gabby.
Antonyms
reticent, laconic, reserved, quiet, taciturn, uncommunicative, concise, succinct, brief, concise, to the point.
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | garrulities, garrulity, garrulousnesses, garrulousness |
| Verb | None |
| Adjective | garrulous |
| Adverb | garrulously |
Example Sentences
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Jane’s uncle was always a garrulous man and could talk for hours without pause, often repeating the same stories.
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The candidate’s garrulous nature became a liability during the debate, as the voters found him to be unconvincing and insincere.
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Lisa’s supervisor was a garrulous woman who monopolized every conversation, leaving her subordinates no chance to contribute their ideas.
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I enjoy my grandfather’s company, but his garrulous tendency makes it difficult to get a word in edgewise.
Usage
The word ‘garrulous’ is an adjective that is used to describe someone who talks excessively, often in a rambling or monotonous manner. The term is derived from the Latin word ‘garrulus’ which means ’talkative’, and is related to the English word ‘garble’.
The prefix ‘gar-’ means ’to talk’ and can be found in other related words such as ‘gibberish’, ‘gabble’, ‘gossip’, and ‘garble’. The suffix ‘-ous’ means ‘full of’ or ‘having the qualities of’, and can be found in other English adjectives such as ‘anxious’, ‘famous’, and ‘curious’.
The word ‘garrulous’ has a negative connotation and is often used to describe someone who talks too much and does not allow others to speak. It can be used to describe someone who is simply talkative, but more often than not it refers to someone who talks excessively and with little regard for others.
In literature, the word ‘garrulous’ is used to describe certain characters such as Polonius in Shakespeare’s Hamlet or Mrs. Bennet in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Both characters are depicted as being long-winded and talkative, often to the point of annoyance for other characters and readers alike.
Overall, the word ‘garrulous’ is a useful term for describing someone who talks too much or in a monotonous manner. It can also be used to describe certain literary characters who exhibit these traits.