gobbler: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal
Quick answer
What does “gobbler” mean?
A person or animal that eats something quickly and greedily.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or animal that eats something quickly and greedily.
Informal term for a male turkey, named for the distinctive gobbling sound it makes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both senses are understood in both varieties. The 'turkey' sense might be slightly more frequent in American English due to the cultural prominence of Thanksgiving.
Connotations
The 'greedy eater' sense carries a mildly negative or humorous connotation. The 'turkey' sense is neutral and factual.
Frequency
The word is relatively uncommon in both varieties, appearing more in informal speech and specific contexts than in formal writing.
Grammar
How to Use “gobbler” in a Sentence
He is a real gobbler of [food].The farm had a prize gobbler.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used.
Academic
Rarely used; may appear in biological or zoological texts referring to the bird.
Everyday
Used informally to describe someone eating quickly or to refer to a turkey, especially around Thanksgiving (US).
Technical
Used in ornithology and farming contexts to specify a male turkey.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gobbler”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gobbler”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gobbler”
- Confusing 'gobbler' (noun) with 'to gobble' (verb).
- Spelling with one 'b' (should be double 'b').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It's informal and can be mildly critical or humorous when describing a person's eating habits, but it's not highly offensive. The turkey meaning is neutral.
Yes, though it is less common. The word is not gender-specific when describing a greedy eater.
A 'glutton' implies habitual overeating and greed. A 'gobbler' focuses more on the speed and noisy manner of eating a specific meal.
No, they are unrelated. 'Gobbler' comes from the verb 'to gobble' (imitative of a turkey's sound or meaning to eat fast). 'Goblin' comes from a different etymological root for a mythical creature.
A person or animal that eats something quickly and greedily.
Gobbler is usually informal in register.
Gobbler: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡɒb.lə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡɑː.blɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “talk turkey (related idiom, but not using 'gobbler')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound a turkey makes: 'gobble, gobble' -> a 'gobbler' is a turkey that makes that sound or a person who 'gobbles' their food just as fast.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON WHO EATS IS AN ANIMAL (specifically, a turkey).
Practice
Quiz
In a strictly zoological context, what is a 'gobbler'?