noun / verb

squabble

SKWAH-buhl/skwˈɑbʌl/

A noisy argument over something minor.

The women squabble noisily over the last biscuit on the shared plate.

Two older women bicker over the last biscuit on a shared plate, both pointing at the trivial prize with irritated expressions and visibly open mouths.

Etymology

Squabble is probably Scandinavian and imitative in origin, connecting a petty dispute with the sound of noisy quarrelling. The suggested comparisons include words for both quarrelling and babbling.

In context

Vivid Audio Library27:54

We had a squabble last night over the window.

A Patriotic School Girl by Angela Brazil | Full Classic British School Story Audiobook

More examples

A squabble over the remote interrupts our movie night.
They squabbled over whose turn it was to wash dishes.
Stop squabbling about where to sit and pick a table.

Forms

squabble · squabbles · squabbled · squabbling

squabbler noun — A person who argues over minor matters.

Similar words

quarrel: Can involve more serious or personal disagreements than a squabble.
bicker: Emphasizes repeated petty exchanges rather than one noisy argument.