Babel Meaning
/ˈbeɪ.bl̩/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAlternative form of Babel.
nameThe city and tower in the land of Shinar where the confusion of languages took place, according to the Bible.
Sentence Examples
The biblical Tower of Babel is what architects call a ziggurat.
Can you imagine Babel's splendor?
CEFR Practice Quiz
In the crowded market, there was a confusing ____ of languages from tourists worldwide.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The crowded market was a ____ of different languages and cultures.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Akkadian 𒆍𒀭𒊏𒆠 (Bābilim)der. Biblical Hebrew בָּבֶל (bāḇel)der. Latin Babelder. English Babel From Latin Babel, from Biblical Hebrew בָּבֶל (bāḇel, “Babylon”), from Akkadian 𒆍𒀭𒊏𒆠 (Bābilim); in Genesis associated with the idea of confusion. Doublet of Babylon.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Therefore is the name of it called Babel[…]"
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Genesis 11:9, column 2:
"As the three were making their way through the crowds of marketers, camels, donkeys, and horses that filled the market place with a confusing babel of sounds, Abdul plucked at Tarzan’s sleeve."
— 1913 June–December, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Return of Tarzan, New York, N.Y.: A[lexander] C[aldwell] McClurg, published March 1915, →OCLC:
"A babel of languages could be heard in the streets and the squares, mingling with the local Provençal."
— 2007, Edwin Mullins, The Popes of Avignon, Blue Bridge, published 2008, page 48:
"I closed the door hurriedly on the babel and groped my way back to bed. At that moment bed seemed to be the one safe, comforting thing in my whole baffling environment."
— 1951, John Wyndham, The Day of the Triffids, Harmondsworth: Penguin Books, published 1954, page 11:
"He had already demanded the attention of the manager, Professor Bulge, Draycott and two underlings to his case and they were now involved in a babel of inutile reiteration."
— 1914, Ernest Bramah, Max Carrados:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
In the crowded market, there was a confusing ____ of languages from tourists worldwide.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The crowded market was a ____ of different languages and cultures.