How to pronounce squabble
Say it like SKWAH-bul. Squabble has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SKWAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce squabble. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SKWAH
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Squabble pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SKWAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of squabble
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: SKWOB-ul.
What does squabble mean?
- A minor fight or argument.“The children got into a squabble about who should ride in the front of the car.”
- A group of seagulls.
- To participate in a minor fight or argument; to quarrel.“The brothers were always squabbling with each other.”
- To disarrange, so that the letters or lines stand awry and require readjustment.“to squabble type”
Where does squabble come from?
Related to Swedish dialectal skvabbel (“a dispute, quarrel, gossip”), Norwegian dialectal skvabba (“to prattle”), German dialectal schwabbeln (“to babble, prattle”), Swedish dialectal skvappa (“to chide, scold”, literally “make a splash”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with squabble
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of squabble.
Questions about saying squabble
How do you pronounce squabble?
Say SKWAH-bul. The American pronunciation is /ˈskwɑbəl/. In British English it is /ˈskwɒbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in squabble?
Squabble has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SKWAH). Broken into parts: SKWAH · bul.
Is squabble 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 /ˈskwɒbəl/ (SKWOB-ul).