blether

C2 Topic:Communication
US /ˈblɛðər/ UK /ˈblɛðə/
noun verb Freq #161240

Meanings

  1. 1
    noun

    chiefly Scottish and Northern English: foolish, idle, or long-winded talk

    The speech was mostly sentimental blether without a practical proposal.

  2. 2
    verb

    chiefly Scottish and Northern English: to talk foolishly or at excessive length

    He blethered about his adventures until everyone had left.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 noun · chiefly scottish and... blathernonsenseprattle
2 verb · chiefly scottish and... blatherbabbleprattle
Opposites
speak concisely
Word family
Forms blethers
Derived forms blethererblethering
Related forms blatherblatter

Etymology

A Scots and Northern English variant of blather, from Old Norse blathra, 'to chatter.' The vowel and consonant reflect regional development, while both noun and verb retain the sense of foolish or excessive talk.

Topics

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