drivel
C1/C2Informal, derogatory.
Definition
Meaning
Silly nonsense or foolish talk.
Can refer to writing or content that is nonsensical, trivial, or of very poor quality. Historically also meant 'to slobber or drool'.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies contempt for the content or speech. Used to dismiss ideas as worthless, not just mistaken.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Meaning and usage are identical. Slightly more frequent in British English, but common in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally strong negative connotation in both dialects.
Frequency
Medium-low frequency; more common in written critique than everyday speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to talk drivelto spout drivel about somethingWhat (a load of) drivel!It is drivel to claim that...His essay was pure drivel.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(not) a word of drivel (i.e., everything said was sensible)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'The market analysis in that report is complete drivel.' Used to dismiss poorly reasoned proposals or forecasts.
Academic
'The article was rejected for containing unsubstantiated drivel.' Used critically for unscientific or illogical work.
Everyday
'Don't listen to him, he's talking drivel again.' Used among friends/family to dismiss silly ideas.
Technical
Rare in highly technical contexts except as a harsh critique of a colleague's flawed reasoning.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He just sat there drivelling on about his conspiracy theories.
- The baby drivelled all over his new bib.
American English
- She driveled endlessly about celebrity gossip.
- The politician driveled on for an hour without saying anything.
adverb
British English
- He spoke drivellingly about his holiday. (extremely rare)
American English
- She drivelingly explained her plan. (extremely rare)
adjective
British English
- It was a drivelling excuse for a report. (rare, as participle adjective)
- I can't stand his drivelling nonsense.
American English
- I turned off the driveling commentary on the TV show.
- He gave a driveling apology.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He talks a lot of drivel sometimes.
- Ignore him, it's just drivel.
- The article was full of absolute drivel about health trends.
- She accused the reviewer of spouting mindless drivel.
- The politician's speech was a masterclass in vacuous drivel, devoid of any substantive policy.
- Academic drivel often hides behind impenetrable jargon.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DRIVEL sounds like 'DRIVE L' - imagine someone trying to drive with an 'L' plate but giving terrible, nonsensical driving instructions.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTHLESS IDEAS ARE WASTE PRODUCTS (like drool).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'драйв' (drive/excitement). 'Drivel' is negative, 'драйв' is positive.
- Closest Russian equivalents are 'чушь', 'ерунда', 'бред'.
- Avoid associating it with 'водить' (to drive).
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'drivel' (nonsense) with 'driven' (motivated).
- Using it in formal writing where 'nonsense' or 'fallacious' would be more appropriate.
- Misspelling as 'drivvel'.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is the word 'drivel' used INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is strongly derogatory and dismissive, so it can be rude if used directly about someone's speech or writing. It expresses contempt.
Yes, though less common. 'To drivel' means to talk nonsense or, archaically, to drool. E.g., 'He driveled on for hours.'
'Drivel' is more contemptuous and implies not just falseness but also stupidity and worthlessness. 'Nonsense' is more general and can be milder.
Yes, it is used and understood in American English, with the same meaning and force as in British English.