Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

rent-a-gob

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.69 in modern English

Syllables: ren-t-a--gob
IPA

11

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

5

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Someone who regularly appears in the media, especially to stir controversy or self-aggrandize.

British usage; Derogatory

Example Sentences

"There would either be an obvious candidate for the splash story or you would be desperately scrambling the phones, suggesting interviews with the local rent-a-gobs on the council who you knew would say something controversial, if lacking in substance."
"You don't want to be seen too much as a media tart, and as a rent-a-gob, because you just alienate all your colleagues."
"Katie Hopkins found fame on reality TV show The Apprentice. But unlike most former reality stars, who fade into obscurity after their 15 minutes in the spotlight, she's gone on to carve herself a successful career as an infamous rent-a-gob."

Etymology

From rent-a- + gob (“mouth”, slang), alluding to someone who will say anything in exchange for money.

Usage

British usage
Derogatory

Inflected Forms

rent-a-gobs (plural) rent a gob (alternative) rentagob (alternative)

Synonyms

rent-a-mouth

Questions

What does rent-a-gob mean?: Someone who regularly appears in the media, especially to stir controversy or self-aggrandize.
Where does rent-a-gob come from?: From rent-a- + gob (“mouth”, slang), alluding to someone who will say anything in exchange for money.

How to pronounce rent-a-gob

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “rent-a-gob”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “rent-a-gob”.
Repeat and practice — Say “rent-a-gob” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.