What does blattering mean?
Blattering is the present participle of blatter and most commonly describes someone talking loudly and at length without saying anything useful, sensible, or relevant. It often carries a mildly contemptuous or humorous tone: “stop blattering” suggests that the speech is noisy, persistent, and undeserving of attention. The word can also describe a loud, confused, or continuous sound, as when waves, rain, machinery, or radio interference blatters through the surroundings. As a noun, blattering denotes this kind of noisy talk; as an adjective, it can characterize a person or group whose speech is loud and uncontrolled. Although the sound and the speech senses are related through the idea of ungoverned noise, blattering is more often used figuratively for human speech than for other sounds. Its expressive, slightly dismissive quality makes it especially effective for conveying irritation, impatience, or amusement at excessive talk.
To talk loudly and continuously, especially in a way that is foolish, irrelevant, or offensive; also, to produce a loud, confused sound.
"The children were blattering across the room while the lecture continued."
The speech sense is usually derogatory. The sound sense is especially used of water, machinery, and electronic interference.
Loud, continuous, often incoherent talking or noise.
"His blattering in the next room was impossible to ignore."
Usually uncountable and typically negative in tone.
Characterized by loud, continuous, or uncontrolled talking.
"The blattering crowd made it impossible to hear the speaker."
This is a participial adjective and generally conveys annoyance or disdain.
Blattering is all volume and little sense: a verbal storm with no clear centre.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does blattering come from?
The core verb blatter came into Middle English from Old Norse blaðra, meaning “to babble,” and belongs to a family of Germanic words associated with noisy, indistinct speech. Its gerund and participle acquired the modern senses of talking loudly and continuously and of producing a confused, sustained sound. Blather, Dutch blateren, German blattern, and Latin blaterari are close relatives in the same noisy-speech word family.
Related word forms
How blattering is actually used
The word is usually mildly derogatory and conveys noisy, excessive speech rather than ordinary conversation. In descriptions of water, wind, engines, or interference, it evokes a loud, confused, irregular sound without necessarily implying human speech.
Easily confused with blattering
Blabbing usually means revealing information carelessly, whereas blattering means talking loudly, continuously, and often without much sense.