palaver

[ puh-lav-er, ‐lah-ver ]

See synonyms for: palaver palavered palavering palaverous on Thesaurus.com

noun

a conference or discussion.
a parley or conference between European traders, explorers, colonial officials, etc., and people indigenous to a region, especially in West Africa.

profuse and idle talk; chatter.
persuasive talk; flattery; cajolery:

verb (used without object),pa·lav·ered, pa·lav·er·ing.

to talk profusely and idly.
to parley or confer.

verb (used with object),pa·lav·ered, pa·lav·er·ing.

to cajole or persuade.

Origin of palaver

First recorded in 1710–20; noun from Portuguese palavra “word, speech, talk,” from Late Latin parabola parable; verb derivative of the noun

Other words from palaver

pa·lav·er·er, pa·lav·er·ist, noun
pa·lav·er·ment, noun
pa·lav·er·ous, adjective

Words Nearby palaver

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

How to use palaver in a sentence

That the palaver was enough to promptly warrant Congressional hearings is testament to just how removed the investing public is from today’s market mechanics.
How Ken Griffin’s Citadel transformed financial markets | Roya Wolverson | February 18, 2021 | Quartz
He seemed at first much pleased of the situation, but after examining the captives closely he called a palaver.
The Story Behind The World’s Greatest Headline | Brandy Zadrozny | January 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
With North Korea, the palaver is mostly about hoping and waiting.
What the U.S. Government Knows About North Korea's New Ruler | Leslie H. Gelb | December 20, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
Barton summoned us to a meeting, one night, and we held a long palaver over the situation.
Tramping on Life | Harry Kemp
"Ah, yes, I understand your smooth palaver," the bridegroom growled between his teeth.
Boyhood in Norway | Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen

Think I want to hang around and palaver with a set of pirates that'd stick a gun in my face and tell me where I git off?
Isle o' Dreams | Frederick F. Moore
Ko-boru was all for a long and impressive palaver, but recognized a certain absence of encouragement in the Commissioner's tone.
The Keepers of the King's Peace | Edgar Wallace
"That is a Government palaver," smiled Sanders, and that was all the satisfaction Ferguson received.
The Keepers of the King's Peace | Edgar Wallace

British Dictionary definitions for palaver

palaver

/ (pəˈlɑːvə) /

noun

tedious or time-consuming business, esp when of a formal nature: all the palaver of filling in forms
loud and confused talk and activity; hubbub

(often used humorously) a conference
rare talk intended to flatter or persuade
Western African
- an argument
- trouble arising from an argument

verb

(intr) (often used humorously) to have a conference
(intr) to talk loudly and confusedly

(tr) to flatter or cajole

Origin of palaver

C18: from Portuguese palavra talk, from Latin parabola parable

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

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