1 twaddle | Definition of twaddle

twaddle

noun
twad·​dle | \ ˈtwä-dᵊl How to pronounce twaddle (audio) \

Definition of twaddle

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : silly idle talk : drivel
b : something insignificant or worthless : nonsense that idea is pure twaddle
2 : one that twaddles : twaddler

twaddle

verb
twaddled; twaddling\ ˈtwäd-​liÅ‹ How to pronounce twaddling (audio) , ˈtwä-​dᵊl-​iÅ‹ \

Definition of twaddle (Entry 2 of 2)

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Other Words from twaddle

Verb

twaddler \ ˈtwäd-​lÉ™r How to pronounce twaddler (audio) , ˈtwä-​dᵊl-​É™r \ noun

Examples of twaddle in a Sentence

Noun

We don't believe that twaddle anymore. the novel's elaborate theory detailing a supposed 2,000-year-old conspiracy is mostly tiresome twaddle

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

After Colangelo was removed and the new order installed, there has been the standard twaddle about working to achieve collaborative decisions among the team’s leaders. Bob Ford, Philly.com, "Brett Brown gets to really call the shots for the Sixers | Bob Ford," 18 June 2018 And just like that, America turned Thursday from harrumphing about Roseanne Barr's racist Twitter twaddle to sputtering about Samantha Bee's profane TV patter. Maria Puente, USA TODAY, "Samantha Bee vs Roseanne Barr: Double standard? Twitter reacts," 31 May 2018 The word is chiefly British, deriving from footle, as a verb meaning to act or talk foolishly, to waste time, and as a noun meaning twaddle or nonsense. John E. Mcintyre, baltimoresun.com, "In a word: footling," 14 Feb. 2018 In this ultra-premium, jargon-forward twaddle, the only acceptable word is ‘ Rami Grunbaum, The Seattle Times, "Financial Times columnist roasts Starbucks chairman Schultz for ‘ugly business jargon’," 19 July 2017 Gone is the original’s joyful sense of mischief; what’s left is an inoffensive piece of twaddle that never fully appreciates the ineluctable bond between community spirit and a drop of the hard stuff. Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, "Review: Even Laughs Are Rationed in a ‘Whisky Galore!’ Reboot," 11 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'twaddle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of twaddle

Noun

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1826, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for twaddle

Noun

probably alteration of English dialect twattle idle talk

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