cobble

1 of 2

verb

cob·​ble ˈkä-bəl How to pronounce cobble (audio)
cobbled; cobbling ˈkä-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce cobble (audio)

transitive verb

1
chiefly British : to mend or patch coarsely
2
: repair, make
cobble shoes
3
: to make or put together roughly or hastily
—often used with together or up
cobble together an agreement
cobble up a temporary solution

cobble

2 of 2

noun

1
: cobblestone
2
cobbles plural, chiefly British : lump coal about the size of small cobblestones

Synonyms of cobble

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Verb

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Examples of cobble in a Sentence

Verb expensive leather shoes cobbled in Italy Noun a street paved with cobbles
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Centuries-old cedars of Lebanon lend shade to winding paths cobbled with smooth pebbles. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 Beneath are the roofs and cobbled streets of the medieval Old Town, where ancient pubs stand among jewelers specializing in local jet. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2026
Noun
Tiny Zahara is a delight for those who want to hear only the sounds of the wind, birds, and elderly footsteps on ancient cobbles. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026 Heck, the first-ever settlements probably used some cobbles to cobble together a road. — Big Think, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cobble

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English coblen, perhaps back-formation from cobelere cobbler

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cobble was in the 15th century

Rhymes for cobble

See All Rhymes for cobble

Browse Nearby Words

cobbing
cobble
cobbled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cobble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cobble. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cobble

1 of 2 verb
cob·​ble ˈkäb-əl How to pronounce cobble (audio)
cobbled; cobbling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce cobble (audio)
: to make roughly or hastily
—often used with together or up

cobble

2 of 2 noun
: a rounded stone larger than a pebble and smaller than a boulder

More from Merriam-Webster on cobble

Nglish: Translation of cobble for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cobble

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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