GARGLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does gargle mean? 

• GARGLE (noun)
  The noun GARGLE has 2 senses:

1. a medicated solution used for gargling and rinsing the mouth

2. the sound produced while gargling

  Familiarity information: GARGLE used as a noun is rare.

• GARGLE (verb)
  The verb GARGLE has 2 senses:

1. utter with gargling or burbling sounds

2. rinse one's mouth and throat with mouthwash

  Familiarity information: GARGLE used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• GARGLE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A medicated solution used for gargling and rinsing the mouth

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Synonyms:

gargle; mouthwash

Hypernyms ("gargle" is a kind of...):

solution (a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution)

Derivation:

gargle (rinse one's mouth and throat with mouthwash)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The sound produced while gargling

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("gargle" is a kind of...):

sound (the sudden occurrence of an audible event)

Derivation:

gargle (utter with gargling or burbling sounds)

• GARGLE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they gargle    ... he / she / it gargles   
Past simple: gargled   
Past participle: gargled   
-ing form: gargling   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Utter with gargling or burbling sounds

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "gargle" is one way to...):

emit; let loose; let out; utter (express audibly; utter sounds (not necessarily words))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

gargle (the sound produced while gargling)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Rinse one's mouth and throat with mouthwash

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

gargle; rinse

Context example:

gargle with this liquid

Hypernyms (to "gargle" is one way to...):

lave; wash (cleanse (one's body) with soap and water)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

gargle (a medicated solution used for gargling and rinsing the mouth)

 Context examples 

Treatment focuses on helping symptoms and includes medicines for pain and fever, warm salt water gargles and plenty of rest and fluids.

(Infectious Mononucleosis, NIH)

Upon gargling and rinsing with this solution, it forms a soothing protective hydrogel coating over the oral mucosa, thereby potentially preventing or reducing chemotherapy-induced mucositis.

(Mucoadhesive Oral Wound Rinse, NCI Thesaurus)

Then suddenly came a low guggling, gargling sound, and a brisk drumming upon woodwork.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)