Word
squabble
Phoneticssquab·ble, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈskwɑbəɫ/
UK/skwˈɒbəl/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small noisy argument about something not very important. You use it when people fight over little things, like food or seats.
n. a noisy quarrel over a trivial matter, typically brief and lacking serious consequence. Often implies petty or childish disagreement.
Examples
“The kids have a squabble over toys.”
“The neighbours had a brief squabble about the shared fence before agreeing to split the repair cost.”
“What began as a minor squabble over seating arrangements gradually revealed deeper tensions within the committee about leadership and priorities.”
Examples
simple
“The kids have a squabble over toys.”
contextual
“The neighbours had a brief squabble about the shared fence before agreeing to split the repair cost.”
complex
“What began as a minor squabble over seating arrangements gradually revealed deeper tensions within the committee about leadership and priorities.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “squabble” in context.
Verb
01. avoid squabble
“To avoid a squabble, they split the bill evenly.”
verb + noun
02. end squabble
“Let's end this squabble and decide where to eat.”
verb + noun
03. settle squabble
“The manager stepped in to settle the squabble over shifts.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. family squabble
“Every holiday dinner seems to end with a family squabble.”
adj + noun
05. minor squabble
“It was only a minor squabble about parking, nothing serious.”
adj + noun
06. petty squabble
“The meeting was delayed by a petty squabble over who should take notes.”
adj + noun
07. silly squabble
“The brothers had a silly squabble over the TV remote.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. squabble among friends
“A quick squabble among friends spoiled the picnic mood.”
noun + prep + noun
09. a minor squabble over seats
“The flight was delayed by a minor squabble over seats.”
10. end up in a squabble
“We ended up in a squabble about whose turn it was to pay.”
11. get into a petty squabble
“They got into a petty squabble over who sat by the window.”
12. settle a silly squabble
“The teacher had to settle a silly squabble over crayons.”
Real-World Examples
“The White Walkers are approaching the Wall, but the squabbles between the great houses go on.” “On the other hand, Sánchez would need to renew alliances with various small left-wing parties that have sunk in the polls and often squabble among themselves.” “This is a fine piece of work, at once a grand sweep through history and a domestic novel of petty squabbles.” “There were no big newsworthy squabbles, but a lot of discussion, a lot of listening and re-reading.” Etymology
The noun form first appears c. 1602, while the verbal form first appears c. 1616. Probably of North Germanic origin and ultimately imitative. Related to Swedish dialectal skvabbel (“a dispute, quarrel, gossip”), Norwegian dialectal skvabba (“to prattle”), German dialectal schwabbeln (“to babble, prattle”), Swedish dialectal skvappa (“to chide, scold”, literally “make a splash”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
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