Skip to main content
to blather

to blather

12 8.0
To talk a lot in a silly way that makes little sense
  • verb
  • /ˈblæðər/
  • Informal
translation icon : parlotear
  • During the meeting, he just kept blathering on without making any real point.
  • the usual blathering
  • try blathering

Genius is a throwaway term that so many people use in the present they just blather on about it.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • What are you blathering about?

  • OK, I've gone so fast I'm more or less at the end of my notes, but I can blather on for a while.

  • I promised to blather on TV about life at the museums.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • What on earth are you blathering on about?

  • Was this such an earth-shattering event that everyone has to blather about it for days on end?

    Blog text (32)
  • Now, are you just going to blather on about it, or are you going to substantiate that hypothesis?

    Blog text (12)
  • Well, that's the sort of stuff you two used to blather on about, isn't it?

  • Gary is engaged emotionally, while Nicole blathers on for ages before reaching the point.

    Blog text (32)
  • Well, he's just blathering on about how much he misses Elaine.

  • Doris: I've sat back and listened to you all blathering for just about long enough.

    Academic text (1991)

Synonyms

to chatter
vsto blather
86 2.7

To talk quickly and without stopping about unimportant things

is similar but highlights extended foolish meaning rather than speed
to babble
vsto blather
75 4.4

Talk quickly in a silly way that is hard to understand

is used for long foolish meaningless speech rather than short incoherent noise
to ramble
vsto blather
  • Informal
48 5.3

To talk or write for a long time without a clear point

is focused on foolish meaningless content rather than only confusion or aimlessness
to ramble on
vsto blather
  • Informal
15 6.2

Talk for a long time in an unclear way about small unimportant things

is about long foolish or meaningless talking rather than merely confused speech
to drone on
vsto blather
  • Informal
10 6.0

Talk for a long time in a boring, flat voice

is about foolish meaningless talking rather than monotone or boredom focus
to prattle
vsto blather
9 8.4

To talk on and on in a silly way about unimportant things

is used for long foolish talk more generally, not only trivial topics
to blither
vsto blather
7 9.9

To talk in a silly, confused way that has little meaning

is about long foolish talking rather than brief nonsensical remarks
to blabber
vsto blather
  • Informal
6 7.8

To talk too much and tell secrets carelessly

is centred on long foolish meaningless speech rather than careless disclosure
to rattle on
vsto blather
  • Informal
5 6.6

To talk for a long time about small boring things

is more about long foolish or meaningless speech, not only tiresome delivery
to bloviate
vsto blather
  • US
2 9.9

To speak for a long time in a proud way with little real meaning

is similar lengthwise but differs by lacking pompous boastful tone
to gabble
vsto blather
1 7.9

To talk quickly and unclearly so others cannot understand you

is similar but centres on long foolish meaninglessness without speed or unintelligibility
to prate
vsto blather
  • Literature
1 9.9

To talk for a long time about things that do not matter

is used more generally for long meaningless speech, not only tedious talk
to drivel
vsto blather
1 7.0

To talk in a silly way that makes no sense

is focused on long, extended foolish talking rather than any short nonsense
to blether
vsto blather
  • UK
1 9.9

To talk a long time in a silly or unimportant way

is more neutral for any long meaningless talking rather than playful tone
to witter
vsto blather
  • UK
1 9.3

To talk for a long time about unimportant things in a boring way

is similar but stresses foolishness and meaninglessness rather than mere annoyance
to haver
vsto blather
  • UK
1 9.9

To talk for a long time about silly or unimportant things

is used for long foolish talking focused on meaninglessness rather than aimless chat
to twaddle
vsto blather
  • Archaic
9.0

To talk for a long time about unimportant things in a silly way

is similar but covers long foolish talk without speed emphasis
to blellum
vsto blather
  • Slang
9.9

To talk a lot in a silly, pointless way

is broader, describing lengthy meaningless speech not only continuous noise
to bla
vsto blather
  • Informal
9.9

To talk in a boring way without saying anything useful

is specifically about prolonged foolish or meaningless talking, not just boring remarks
to bibble
vsto blather
  • Archaic
9.9

To speak quickly in a confused or silly way

is used for sustained foolish talk rather than brief incoherent bursts
to blatter
vsto blather
  • Archaic
9.9

To talk a lot without saying anything important

is more about long foolish talking rather than noise or volume differences
to maunder
vsto blather
  • UK
9.9

To talk in a slow, unclear way about unimportant things

is focused on long foolish meaning rather than indistinct or rambling speech
to platitudinize
vsto blather
9.9

To speak or write dull, obvious things instead of new ideas

is more about foolish long meaningless talk rather than tired clichés
to speak in circles
vsto blather
  • Informal
7.5

Talk without saying a clear answer, often repeating or being vague

is used for long foolish meaningless speech rather than evasive or vague language
to talk shitbull
vsto blather
  • Offensive
9.9

To say false or exaggerated things to make others believe you

is about prolonged foolish or meaningless talk rather than purposeful deception
to yadda
vsto blather
  • Slang
9.8

To talk in a dull, repeating way and skip details

is focused on long foolish meaningless speech rather than merely filler usage

Antonyms

64 4.6

Able to express ideas clearly in speech or writing

Compounds

constant blather
  • Informal
7.0

Continuous trivial talk that says nothing important

How Meaningful

to chat
  • Informal
269 1.0
to blather
  • Informal
12 8.0
to babble
75 4.4
prattle
5 8.7

Surface Forms

blather infinitive
blathered past
blathered past participle
blathering present participle
blathers third person singular

Etymology

Blather originally meant 'to chatter' and is like the word blabber, which gives the image of long, silly talking. So to blather is to 'talk at length in a foolish or meaningless way'.