The word "gurgle" primarily means to make a sound of bubbling or a series of low, throaty noises that resemble the sound of water flowing or bubbling. It can also refer to the act of someone’s stomach making noises, often due to hunger or digestion.
"Gurgle" is used in both oral speech and written contexts, frequently in casual conversation, descriptive writing, and in contexts referring to sounds made by liquids or during certain bodily functions. Its occurrence is spontaneous in everyday discussions about sounds, cooking (when boiling), or describing conditions involving water.
Frequency of Use: Moderate, more common in oral speech than formal written contexts.
The baby started to gurgle happily in the crib.
Baby comenzó a gorgolear felizmente en la cuna.
When the water started to boil, it began to gurgle violently.
Cuando el agua comenzó a hervir, empezó a gorgolear violentamente.
After having a good meal, his stomach began to gurgle, indicating satisfaction.
Después de tener una buena comida, su estómago comenzó a gorgolear, indicando satisfacción.
Although "gurgle" is not frequently used in idiomatic expressions, it is often associated with contexts that entail sound, bubbling, or digestive processes. Here are a few creative expansions involving "gurgle":
To gurgle like a brook in spring.
Gorgolear como un arroyo en primavera.
(Meaning: To make a pleasant, bubbling sound.)
He's gurgling nonsense.
Él está gorgoteando tonterías.
(Meaning: To speak in a confused or silly manner.)
Gurgling away all my worries.
Gorgoleando todas mis preocupaciones.
(Meaning: To let go of worries or stress as if washing them away with sound.)
The gurgle of the drain.
El gorgoteo del desagüe.
(Describes the sound of water flowing through pipes.)
The term "gurgle" is derived from the Latin word "gurgulio," which means "throat" or "gullet," and is associated with the sound produced when water or other liquids flow. The transition into English happened in the early 19th century, often describing sounds of mutual nature in both liquids and human expressions.
This consolidation of "gurgle" elucidates its versatile meaning and usage in the English language.