What does blustering mean?
Blustering describes loud, aggressive, boastful talk that is long on volume and short on substance. As the present participle of the verb 'bluster,' it characterizes people who rant, threaten, and swagger to intimidate others or inflate their own importance; as an adjective, it can also describe wind that blows fiercely and noisily. The word carries a sharply negative connotation when applied to human behavior: a blustering bully or blustering official is one whose bluster signals insecurity rather than genuine strength, which is why it is a favorite descriptor for pompous public figures. Its weather sense is more neutral, evoking storms and gusty seas. Derived ultimately from a North Sea Germanic root meaning to blow violently, 'blustering' has been part of English since at least the sixteenth century and remains a vivid way to expose empty bravado.
(gerund use of the verb) The action of talking loudly and boastfully or of wind blowing stormily.
"His constant blustering wore thin with everyone in the room."
As a noun, usually appears with a determiner or possessive.
Present participle of bluster: to speak in a loud, aggressive, boastful manner; to blow or storm violently.
"They were still blustering about the decision hours after the vote."
Characterized by loud, swaggering, threatening talk; or (of wind) blowing fiercely and noisily.
"A blustering salesman cornered us at the trade show."
Shakespeare gave 'bluster' its theatrical bite — his blustering characters thunder on stage long before the word became shorthand for politicians who roar louder than they act.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of blustering
'Blustering' derives from 'bluster,' a verb recorded in English by the mid-sixteenth century, most likely borrowed from a Middle Dutch or Middle Low German source such as 'blüsteren' or related to 'blust' (a violent gust), all pointing back to a Germanic root connected with violent blowing. The same Germanic base underlies Old English 'blǣst,' the ancestor of the modern word 'blast.' Shakespeare used 'bluster' memorably in King Lear ('Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks!'), cementing its association with both storm and noisy human rage.
Related word forms
How blustering is actually used
'Blustering' carries a distinctly negative connotation when applied to people — it implies noise and aggression masking weakness, cowardice, or incompetence. When applied to weather, it is largely neutral or vivid-descriptive. It functions both as the -ing form of the verb 'bluster' and as an attributive adjective.
Easily confused with blustering
'Flustering' means making someone agitated or confused, whereas 'blustering' means speaking loudly and boastfully or blowing stormily.