Words / C2

GAR-uh-l-uh-s/ˈɡærələs/

Garrulous means talking a great deal, especially about trifles — more critical than talkative. Chatty is everyday and often fond; loquacious is a rarer formal synonym. Garrulousness is the noun, and novelists use it for a character who will not stop. In speech, he goes on and on or very talkative is enough — do not use it for an eloquent, tightly argued speech.

Meaning

Talking a lot, especially about unimportant things (formal).

Examples

• “The garrulous passenger talked for the whole journey.”
• “A garrulous cab driver narrated every roundabout.”
• “The memoir is garrulous where it needed selection.”

Good to know

Over-talkative, often about little. Critical. Everyday: chatty / goes on and on. Contrast: eloquent = well expressed.

Near in meaning

talkative

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