What does blathering mean?
"Blathering" describes talking on and on in a way that is silly, rambling, or devoid of substance. As a verb, it is the present participle of "blather," meaning to chatter foolishly; as a noun, it denotes the resulting stream of pointless talk. The word carries a dismissive, mildly contemptuous tone and belongs firmly to informal register — you would not use it in formal writing to describe serious discourse. It appears most often in impatient complaints, frequently followed by "on," as in "she kept blathering on about her problems." Its Scandinavian pedigree gives it a colorful history: it derives from the Old Norse verb "blathra," meaning to chatter or wag the tongue, which entered English through contact with Norse speakers. Related forms include "blatherer," one who talks this way, and the Scots-American compound "blatherskite," meaning a person given to boastful, empty talk. For anyone wanting a vivid word to characterize empty verbosity — whether in a tedious meeting, a rambling speech, or an overlong phone call — "blathering" captures exasperation with economy and bite.
To talk at length in a foolish, rambling, or nonsensical manner.
"Stop blathering and tell me what actually happened."
Almost always derogatory; typically used with 'on.'
Foolish, rambling, or meaningless talk.
"I had no patience left for his late-night blathering."
Rarely used; 'blathering' normally functions as an uncountable verbal noun.
"Her scattered blatherings filled page after page of the diary."
Before it meant mindless chatter in English, 'blather' was borrowed straight from Old Norse — Vikings were apparently accused of talking nonsense too.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of blathering
The word comes from the Old Norse verb "blathra," meaning to chatter foolishly or wag the tongue, adopted into English during the period of Scandinavian settlement and influence. From the same root developed "blather" as both verb and noun, along with "blatherer" for the habitual offender. In nineteenth-century Scotland and America the root produced "blatherskite," a colorful term for a person who talks boastful nonsense. The core sense — foolish, empty chatter — has remained remarkably stable across centuries.
Related word forms
How blathering is actually used
Informal and mildly derogatory; it conveys impatience or contempt for someone's talk rather than neutral description. Common in British English especially, often followed by 'on.'
Easily confused with blathering
'Blathering' means talking pointless nonsense, while 'blithering' is chiefly an intensifier meaning utterly senseless, as in 'a blithering idiot.'