blather

American  

[blath-er] / ˈblæð ər /

Also blether

noun

1. foolish, voluble talk.

   His speech was full of the most amazing blather.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. Also blither to talk or utter foolishly; babble.

   The poor thing blathered for hours about the intricacies of his psyche.

blather British  

/ ˈblæðə /

verb

1. (intr) to speak foolishly

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noun

1. foolish talk; nonsense

2. a person who blathers

Other Word Forms

• blatherer noun

Etymology

Origin of blather

From Middle English; Old Norse blathra “to chatter, blabber”

Explanation

To blather is to talk on and on without saying anything very important or wise. If you blather all afternoon, it might be a welcome distraction to your friend who's grieving the death of her cat. You can use the word blather as a noun too: you might hate riding the bus home from school because of all the silly blather around you. At a job, it might be acceptable to blather during your lunch break, but not once you get back to work. The verb came first, and it was originally Scottish, probably from the Old Norse word blaðra, "mutter or wag the tongue."

Example Sentences

In fact, I expected the outcome since about day seven, including China’s role in bringing about a settlement, though minus any blather on my part about a victory for the mullahs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

All of this speaks well of Betts’ intuition and intelligence, but the postseason is not the time for “trust the process” blather.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 7, 2025

"All this blather about Mr Adams being a member of the army council is not something you have to decide," he told the jury.

From BBC • May 7, 2025

We need to see through his free-speech blather.

From Salon • Jan. 14, 2025

Nobody asked you to talk, said Philomena.You done enough damage with your blather, so shut your yap.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt

Related Words

• babble
• chatter
• nonsense