How to pronounce gobbledygook
Say it like gob-ul-dee-GUUK. Gobbledygook has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (GUUK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce gobbledygook. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- gob
- ul
- dee
- GUUK
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Gobbledygook pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- gobGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- deeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- GUUKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
American vs British pronunciation of gobbledygook
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: gob-ul-dee-GUUK.
What does gobbledygook mean?
- Nonsense; meaningless or encrypted language.
- Something written in an overly complex, incoherent, or incomprehensible manner.
Where does gobbledygook come from?
First attested in a memo by US Representative (Texas) Maury Maverick dated March 30, 1944, banning "gobbledygook language".
Words that rhyme with gobbledygook
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of gobbledygook.
Questions about saying gobbledygook
How do you pronounce gobbledygook?
Say gob-ul-dee-GUUK. The American pronunciation is /ˌɡɑbəldiˈɡʊk/. In British English it is /ˌɡɒbəldiˈɡʊk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in gobbledygook?
Gobbledygook has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (GUUK). Broken into parts: gob · ul · dee · GUUK.
Is gobbledygook pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˌɡɒbəldiˈɡʊk/ (gob-ul-dee-GUUK).