gab: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “gab” mean?
To talk a lot, usually about unimportant things.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To talk a lot, usually about unimportant things; idle chatter.
It can also refer to the ability or talent for talking smoothly and persuasively, as in 'the gift of the gab'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning. The phrase 'gift of the gab' is equally common in both variants.
Connotations
Universally informal and slightly old-fashioned. Can be playful rather than purely negative.
Frequency
Moderately common in both, but slightly more frequent in UK English. It is not a high-frequency everyday word.
Grammar
How to Use “gab” in a Sentence
[Subject] gabs[Subject] gabs on (about [Object])[Subject] gabs awayVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gab” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We just sat in the café, gabbing for hours.
- She'll gab on the phone all evening if you let her.
American English
- He just gabs away about sports and never listens.
- Let's grab a coffee and gab for a bit.
adjective
British English
- She's a gabby sort, isn't she? (from the related adjective 'gabby')
American English
- He's known as the gabby neighbour. (from the related adjective 'gabby')
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, would be informal slang for 'to talk at length (in a meeting)'.
Academic
Virtually never used.
Everyday
Used informally among friends and family to describe trivial, lengthy talk.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gab”
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Confusing 'gab' (talk) with 'gab' as a rare term for mouth (archaic).
- Incorrect: 'He gave an intelligent gab.' Correct: 'He gabbled on about nothing.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's informal and can be slightly critical, but it's not rude or offensive.
'Gab' implies trivial, continuous talk. 'Chat' is neutral/conversational. 'Gossip' specifically involves talking about other people's private lives.
Yes, but mainly in the fixed idiom 'the gift of the gab'. It's less common as a standalone noun (e.g., 'We had a good gab').
Yes, they are related. 'Gabble' suggests talking rapidly and unintelligibly, often like a goose, which aligns with the trivial, fast-paced nature of 'gab'.
To talk a lot, usually about unimportant things.
Gab is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Gab: in British English it is pronounced /ɡæb/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡæb/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “gift of the gab”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'gab' as a 'gabble' – the sound a noisy flock of geese makes, which is similar to non-stop, meaningless chatter.
Conceptual Metaphor
TALK IS A FLUID/A NOISE (e.g., 'gab away', 'the flow of conversation').
Practice
Quiz
What does the phrase 'gift of the gab' primarily describe?