babel Definition
- 1a confused noise, typically that made by a number of voices
- 2a scene of noisy confusion
Using babel: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "babel" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The sound of the city was a babel of voices and traffic.
Example
The classroom was a babel of noise as the students chatted and laughed.
Example
The market was a babel of languages as tourists from all over the world haggled with vendors.
babel Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with babel
a biblical story about a tower built by humans to reach the heavens, but God destroyed it and scattered the people by giving them different languages
Example
The Tower of Babel is often used as a metaphor for human arrogance and the consequences of overreaching.
a fictional creature in the book 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' that can translate any language instantly
Example
The babel fish is a useful tool for intergalactic travelers who encounter many different languages.
to talk rapidly and incoherently, or to make continuous sounds that are difficult to understand
Example
The baby babbled happily as she played with her toys.
Origins of babel
from Hebrew 'Babel', meaning 'gate of God'
Summary: babel in Brief
The term 'babel' [ˈbeɪbəl] refers to a confused noise or scene of noisy confusion. It is often used to describe a cacophony of voices or languages, as in 'The market was a babel of languages as tourists from all over the world haggled with vendors.' 'Babel' also appears in phrases like 'Tower of Babel,' which refers to a biblical story, and 'babel fish,' a fictional creature that can translate any language instantly.
