gab

Everyday

1. (informal) To talk a lot, quickly and often about unimportant things; to chatter. tree →
2. (informal, noun) Chatty talk. tree →
3. (informal) «the gift of the gab» (UK) or «the gift of gab» (US): the ability to talk easily and persuade people. tree →
4. (slang) Gab can also mean the mouth, as in "shut your gab". tree →

In the lessons

In everyday talk and stories «gab» describes chatter between friends. «Gift of the gab» is said of salespeople, presenters and charming characters. Related: «chatter», «natter» (UK), «yak».

Examples

• The girls gabbed on the phone for an hour. tree →
• Stop gabbing and finish your work! tree →
• My uncle has the gift of the gab — he can sell anything. tree →
• Grandma loves a good gab with her neighbour. tree →
• They were gabbing so much that they missed their bus stop. tree →
• Toad had the gift of the gab and talked his way out of trouble. tree →

Note

Informal; not for formal writing. Past form «gabbed», «-ing» form «gabbing». Adjective «gabby» (talkative). Do not confuse with «grab».