palaver

American  

[puh-lav-er, ‑-lah-ver] / pəˈlæv ər, ‑ˈlɑ vər /

noun

1. a conference or discussion.

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

3. profuse and idle talk; chatter.

4. persuasive talk; flattery; cajolery.

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verb (used without object)

palavered, palavering

1. to talk profusely and idly.

2. to parley or confer.

verb (used with object)

palavered, palavering

1. to cajole or persuade.

palaver British  

/ pəˈlɑːvə /

noun

1. tedious or time-consuming business, esp when of a formal nature

   all the palaver of filling in forms

2. loud and confused talk and activity; hubbub

3. (often used humorously) a conference

4. rare talk intended to flatter or persuade

5. 1. an argument

   2. trouble arising from an argument

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verb

1. (intr) (often used humorously) to have a conference

2. (intr) to talk loudly and confusedly

3. (tr) to flatter or cajole

Other Word Forms

• palaverer noun
• palaverist noun
• palaverment noun
• palaverous adjective

Etymology

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

Explanation

Palaver is a type of empty nonsense or useless talk. During an election year, you might tire of hearing the palaver of politicians. Whether you call it malarkey, hokum, mumbo-jumbo, or truthiness, there are a lot of words for talk that cannot be trusted or believed. Palaver is part of this club. Specifically, palaver tends to be hot air — empty words from a blowhard. Palaver can also be sweet talk — a type of flattery. You can use this word as a verb too: by palavering, you might try to impress someone or get someone to do you a favor.

Example Sentences

Drawing up what is known as a Written Ministerial Statement can often be a bit of a palaver, those who do it regularly admit.

From BBC • May 3, 2023

Kéré’s strong affinity for his native land informs his practice — he references local symbols like the baobab or palaver tree; a traditional blue boubou garment he wore as a child.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 15, 2022

Perhaps one upside of the palaver is that Radnor residents have become more politically engaged.

From New York Times • Jun. 30, 2021

The plot features a lot of palaver about Deems’ scheme to switch suppliers and the gangster’s comically thwarted attempts to punish Sportcoat, who’s oblivious to the danger.

From Slate • Mar. 11, 2020

"It's been quite pleasant, our little palaver, sir," I said.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison