blubber

[ bluhb-er ]

/ ˈblʌb ər /

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See synonyms for: blubber / blubbering on Thesaurus.com

noun

Zoology. the fat layer between the skin and muscle of whales and other cetaceans, from which oil is made.

excess body fat.

an act of weeping noisily and without restraint.

verb (used without object)

to weep noisily and without restraint: Stop blubbering and tell me what's wrong.

verb (used with object)

to say, especially incoherently, while weeping: The child seemed to be blubbering something about a lost ring.

to contort or disfigure (the features) with weeping.

adjective

disfigured with blubbering; blubbery: She dried her blubber eyes.

fatty; swollen; puffed out (usually used in combination): thick, blubber lips; blubber-faced.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of blubber

1250–1300; Middle English bluber bubble, bubbling water, entrails, whale oil; apparently imitative

OTHER WORDS FROM blubber

blub·ber·er, nounblub·ber·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use blubber in a sentence

I remember well reading all those columns blubbering, how can she stay with him?
One’s a Weiner, the Other a Hero: Why Bill and Hillary Have Nothing in Common With Anthony and Huma|Michael Tomasky|July 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
From Robert De Niro to Anne Hathaway, Kevin Fallon looks at the nominees who are blubbering their way to a (possible) Oscar.
Crying Oscar Nominees: Robert De Niro, Hugh Jackman & More (VIDEO)|Kevin Fallon|February 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
"I don't want to wait," cried Stover, blubbering despite himself.
The Varmint|Owen Johnson
A spliced table was stretched nearly the full length of the long hall, and a great kettle of coffee was blubbering on the fire.
An Arkansas Planter|Opie Percival Read

"I can't eat another mouthful, grandpa," said Georgie, still blubbering.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 16, No. 97, November, 1865|Various
But poor Rawson, rocking to and fro, his head between his hands, went on blubbering softly and spoke no word.
The Secret Glory|Arthur Machen
Joe made no other response than a blubbering sound, while the tears ran down and dropped briskly from his chin.
Wild Western Scenes|John Beauchamp Jones

British Dictionary definitions for blubber

blubber

/ (ˈblʌbə) /

verb

to sob without restraint

to utter while sobbing

(tr) to make (the face) wet and swollen or disfigured by crying

noun

a thick insulating layer of fatty tissue below the skin of aquatic mammals such as the whale: used by man as a source of oil

informal excessive and flabby body fat

the act or an instance of weeping without restraint

Australian an informal name for jellyfish

adjective

(often in combination) swollen or fleshyblubber-faced; blubber-lips

Derived forms of blubber

blubberer, noun

Word Origin for blubber

C12: perhaps from Low German blubbern to bubble, of imitative origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for blubber

blubber

[ blŭb′ər ]

The thick layer of fat between the skin and the muscle layers of whales and other marine mammals. It insulates the animal from heat loss and serves as a food reserve.

blubber

Origin of blubber

OTHER WORDS FROM blubber

Words related to blubber

How to use blubber in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for blubber

Derived forms of blubber

Word Origin for blubber

Scientific definitions for blubber