English Reference

Word

gaggle

Phoneticsgag·gle

US/ˈɡæɡəɫ/

UK/ɡˈæɡəl/

Definition

n. a group of people who are talking too much or being too loud. It is often used to describe a crowd of people who are being annoying or silly.

n. a group of people, typically characterized by excessive noise or foolishness. Often carries a derogatory or dismissive tone, implying a lack of sophistication or decorum.

Examples

“A gaggle of tourists blocked the narrow street.”

“The reporter was ignored by a gaggle of photographers waiting outside the courthouse.”

“The politician's speech was drowned out by the constant chatter of a gaggle of supporters who had gathered in the front row.”

Examples

simple

“A gaggle of tourists blocked the narrow street.”

contextual

“The reporter was ignored by a gaggle of photographers waiting outside the courthouse.”

complex

“The politician's speech was drowned out by the constant chatter of a gaggle of supporters who had gathered in the front row.”

Real-World Examples

“He was met at the airport by a gaggle of local media, who asked him whether he plans to do a Michael Jackson-inspired goal celebration.”
The Guardian · 12 Aug 2026
“George Lucas’s rambunctious salute to footloose youth paints vivid vignettes of Modesto, California, rocking around the clock with its loose-knit gaggle of characters.”
The Guardian · 20 Aug 2026

Etymology

From Middle English gagelen (“to cackle; cackle like a goose”). Compare Dutch gaggelen (“to cackle”), Icelandic gagl (“small goose; gosling”), Norwegian Nynorsk gagl (“wild goose”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference