garrulity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2)Formal, literary
Quick answer
What does “garrulity” mean?
The quality of being excessively or pointlessly talkative.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The quality of being excessively or pointlessly talkative.
Excessive loquacity, especially about trivial matters, often in a rambling or unrestrained manner. Can imply a tiresome or annoying lack of conciseness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The word is equally formal and low-frequency in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally negative/pejorative in both, implying tedious or empty talk.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both corpuses; slightly more common in written, literary British English.
Grammar
How to Use “garrulity” in a Sentence
the garrulity of [noun phrase][possessive] garrulityVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “garrulity” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- He spoke garrulously about his collection of vintage stamps.
American English
- The witness began answering garrulously, straying from the question.
adjective
British English
- His garrulous anecdotes filled the long afternoon.
American English
- She was in a particularly garrulous mood after the party.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in a formal report or review criticizing a colleague's communication style as inefficient.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, psychology, or sociology to describe a character trait or social behavior.
Everyday
Extremely rare in casual speech. Would sound formal or pretentious.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “garrulity”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “garrulity”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “garrulity”
- Misspelling as 'garulity' or 'garrulaty'.
- Using in informal contexts where 'chattiness' is more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is almost always negative, implying excessive, tedious, or pointless talk.
'Loquacity' or 'talkativeness' are the closest neutral synonyms, though 'garrulity' itself is more critical.
Yes, it can describe a temporary bout of excessive talking (e.g., due to nerves or excitement), though it more often describes a habitual trait.
No. The related adjective is 'garrulous' and the adverb is 'garrulously'. There is no standard verb '*to garrulate'.
The quality of being excessively or pointlessly talkative.
Garrulity is usually formal, literary in register.
Garrulity: in British English it is pronounced /ɡəˈruːlɪti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡəˈruːlɪti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GARU (a noisy bird) in the CITY talking endlessly – GARRULITY.
Conceptual Metaphor
TALKING IS AN UNCONTROLLABLE FLOW (OF WATER OR SOUND).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'garrulity' MOST appropriately used?