bleat

[bleet]

verb (used without object)

1. to utter the cry of a sheep, goat, or calf or a sound resembling such a cry.

verb (used with object)

1. to give forth with or as if with a bleat.

   He bleated his objections in a helpless rage.

2. to babble; prate.

noun

1. the cry of a sheep, goat, or calf.

2. any similar sound.

   the bleat of distant horns.

3. foolish, complaining talk; babble.

   I listened to their inane bleat all evening.

bleat

/ bliːt /

verb

1. (intr) (of a sheep, goat, or calf) to utter its characteristic plaintive cry

2. (intr) to speak with any similar sound

3. to whine; whimper

noun

1. the characteristic cry of sheep, goats, and young calves

2. any sound similar to this

3. a weak complaint or whine

Other Word Forms

• bleater noun
• bleatingly adverb
• outbleat verb (used with object)
• bleating noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bleat¹

before 1000; Middle English bleten, Old English blǣtan; cognate with Dutch blaten, Old High German blāzen; akin to Latin flēre to weep

Word History and Origins

Origin of bleat¹

Old English blǣtan ; related to Old High German blāzen , Dutch blaten , Latin flēre to weep; see _blare

Example Sentences

Come nightfall, the eerie silence is often pierced by the woeful bleat of a wandering burro.

From Los Angeles Times

The stock market that came in like a roaring lion at the start of the 1920s went out like a bleating lamb at decade’s end.

From Salon

Meanwhile, Michael Giacchino’s score soars between bleats of triumph and barbershop-chorus charm, a combination that can sound like an automobile show unveiling the first convertible with tail fins.

From Los Angeles Times

The animals bleated from behind a wooden fence.

From Los Angeles Times

"Too many non-working holidays in America," the alleged champion of the working class bleated on Truth Social.

From Salon