1
Core quality
Excessively talkative, especially about unimportant matters.
Example
The garrulous guide filled every pause with anecdotes.
garrulous
/ˈɡærələs/ · GAR-uh-lusadjective
Excessively talkative, especially about unimportant matters.
Use garrulous to express this relationship precisely: excessively talkative, especially about unimportant matters.
What garrulous Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
A garrulous passenger described his entire journey.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
She was sociable but never garrulous.
Use garrulous Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The garrulous guide filled every pause with anecdotes.
A garrulous passenger described his entire journey.
She was sociable but never garrulous.
Precision Matters
Garrulous overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
garrulous
vs.Means excessively talkative, especially about unimportant matters.
verbose
Means using or containing more words than are necessary to express an idea.
garrulous
vs.Means excessively talkative, especially about unimportant matters.
taciturn
Means habitually reserved, quiet, or unwilling to speak much.
garrulous
vs.Means excessively talkative, especially about unimportant matters.
laconic
Means using very few words.
garrulous
vs.Means excessively talkative, especially about unimportant matters.
loquacious
Means very talkative and inclined to speak at length.
Test garrulous in Context
The host is excessively talkative, particularly about trivial matters.
1
The ___ host spoke continuously through dinner, recounting minor stories to anyone who would listen.