windbag

American  

[wind-bag] / ˈwɪndˌbæg /

noun

1. Also called bag of wind.  Informal. an empty, voluble, pretentious talker.

2. the bag of a bagpipe.

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windbag British  

/ ˈwɪndˌbæɡ /

noun

1. slang a voluble person who has little of interest to communicate

2. the bag in a set of bagpipes, which provides a continuous flow of air to the pipes

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Other Word Forms

• windbaggery
  noun

Etymology

Origin of windbag

A late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at wind ¹, bag

Explanation

If you find yourself stuck on a bus beside someone who talks endlessly about boring subjects, you might think to yourself, "What a windbag." It's an informal way to describe a big talker. The word windbag is a useful but derogatory way to talk about a boring chatterer. A windbag might gossip, or brag, or tell a long story — but in any case, nothing he says is interesting or useful information. The original fifteenth century meaning of windbag was "bellows for an organ," which was literally a bag of wind or air. By the early 1800s, it took on the metaphorical meaning of "person who talks too much."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

windbag

Its brevity made it an excellent vehicle for wit — a barb for puncturing bloated egos and windbag grandiosity.

From New York Times ● Feb. 9, 2022

He knows which way the wind is blowing, and he will do his best to become a windbag that blows in that direction, whatever humiliating deflation is required first.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 7, 2022

Magic and Rob Pelinka have only themselves to blame for allowing this colossal windbag to make them look like fools.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 14, 2017

This windbag at a party about five years ago told me, very loudly, that I had written only one book; the rest are screenplays.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 19, 2015

There were some who admired him and others who considered him a pompous windbag.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger