What does blubberer mean?
“Blubberer” is an informal noun for someone who blubbers—that is, cries or weeps with conspicuous abundance. Its force lies less in describing the tears themselves than in suggesting an exaggerated, emotional, or slightly childish display. A parent might call a crying child a blubberer, while a novelist might use the word more playfully to characterize a character who quickly dissolves into tears. It can sound teasing, impatient, or dismissive, so it is unsuitable for neutral discussion of grief, ordinary sadness, or consensual crying. Despite its disparaging tone, the word is vivid in dialogue and informal prose because it combines the act of weeping with the social impression of emotional excess. It belongs to the same word family as “blubber,” “blub,” “blubbering,” and “blubbery,” although it is used specifically of a person.
nounA person who cries or weeps excessively, especially in an exaggerated or unseemly way.
- A person who cries or weeps excessively, especially in an exaggerated or unseemly way.
"Stop being such a blubberer and let me explain what happened."
"The youngest blubberer in the group began crying as soon as the music started."
"No one paid much attention to the blubberer who dominated the testimony with tears."
The standard plural form is used for countable references to people who cry excessively.
"The two blubberers soon ran out of tears."
One word for the full theatrical performance of tears: too much, too public, and utterly committed to the waterworks.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does blubberer come from?
“Blubberer” is an English agent-noun formation from “blubber” in the sense of crying or weeping; the suffix “-er” thus means “one who blubbers.” “Blubber” has Middle English origins, and related Germanic forms include Dutch “blubber” and German “Blobber,” particularly in references to whale fat. The precise historical development of its weeping sense is not entirely transparent.
How blubberer is actually used
This is an informal, often teasing or mildly derogatory word. It suggests conspicuous or excessive crying and may sound impatient or dismissive rather than sympathetic.
Easily confused with blubberer
A blubberer cries or weeps excessively, whereas a slobberer drools or smears saliva over something.