English Explanatory Dictionary

blather

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To talk rapidly without making much sense.
  2. To say (something foolish or nonsensical); to say (something) in a foolish or overly verbose way.
noun
  1. Foolish or nonsensical talk.
noun
  1. Obsolete form of bladder.

Pronunciation

/ˈblæðə(ɹ)/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-blather.wav

Word forms

blather blathers blathering blathered blether

Etymology

From Middle English bletheren, bloderen, from Old Norse blaðra (“to speak inarticulately, talk nonsense”). Cognate with Scots blether, bladder, bledder (“to blather”), dialectal German bladdern (“to talk nonsense, blather”), Norwegian bladra (“to babble, speak imperfectly”), Icelandic blaðra (“to twaddle”).

Synonyms

blither babble bavardage bibble-babble blab blabber blabbing blather blathering chatter chinwag chit-chat claver clepe gabble hot air mardle natter palaver prate prattle scuttlebutt small talk tattle twaddle waffle yackety-yak yap yatter

Derived words

blatherer blatherskate blatherskite blathersome blatherstorm blathery
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