gurgle

/ˈɡɜːɡl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡɜːrɡl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgər-gəl/ (ame, mw)

gurgle — verb

  • gurglepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • gurgleshe / she / it
  • gurgledpast simple
  • gurgling-ing form

1. When a very young child gurgles, they make a soft, bubbly noise deep in the thro

1.動詞不及物B1
釋義

When a very young child gurgles, they make a soft, bubbly noise deep in the throat, usually because they are content, amused, or comfortable.

例句

Baby Fatima gurgled happily when her mother tickled her tiny feet.

baby + gurgle + adverb of manner

The newborn opened his dark eyes and gurgled softly at the nurse.

同義詞
  • coo

    softer and more breathy; a gentle murmuring sound a calm baby makes

  • babble

    covers a wider range of repeated sounds; a baby experimenting with its voice, not necessarily happy

  • crow

    louder and sharper; a sudden cry of triumph or glee

文法句型

baby + gurgle

gurgle + with + noun

用法筆記

Subject is always a baby or very young child. The verb describes only happy, contented sounds — it is not used for crying, fussing, or sounds of distress.

常見錯誤

❌The baby cried and gurgled all night.
✅The baby cried and whimpered all night.
💡gurgle only describes happy sounds; it cannot mean sounds of distress.

2. When water gurgles, it moves along producing a gentle bubbling or rippling sound

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

When water gurgles, it moves along producing a gentle bubbling or rippling sound — you hear this most often from narrow streams, brooks, or liquid draining through a pipe.

例句

A narrow stream gurgled over the smooth stones behind Santiago's farmhouse.

stream + gurgle over + surface (water movement pattern)

Elena sat beside the fountain, listening to the water gurgle in the stone basin.

同義詞
  • babble

    similar in meaning; babble suggests a faster, more chattering sound from water

  • burble

    more irregular and often louder; used for both water and conversation

  • trickle

    focuses on the thin, slow movement of water rather than the sound it makes

  • murmur

    softer, lower sound; less bubbly and more like a quiet continuous hum

文法句型

water + gurgle

stream + gurgle

gurgle + over/through + noun

用法筆記

Subject is usually water or another liquid. It is most natural with words for narrow or small channels — stream, brook, creek, pipe, drain — and not typically used for large rivers or oceans.

常見錯誤

❌The wide river gurgled past the town.
✅The wide river rushed past the town.
💡gurgle describes small, gentle water flows; it feels wrong for a large, powerful river.