windbag

American  

[wind-bag] / ˈwɪndˌbæg /

noun

1. Also called bag of wind.  Informal. an empty, voluble, pretentious talker.

2. the bag of a bagpipe.

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windbag British  

/ ˈwɪndˌbæɡ /

noun

1. slang a voluble person who has little of interest to communicate

2. the bag in a set of bagpipes, which provides a continuous flow of air to the pipes

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Other Word Forms

• windbaggery
  noun

Etymology

Origin of windbag

A late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at wind ¹, bag

Explanation

If you find yourself stuck on a bus beside someone who talks endlessly about boring subjects, you might think to yourself, "What a windbag." It's an informal way to describe a big talker. The word windbag is a useful but derogatory way to talk about a boring chatterer. A windbag might gossip, or brag, or tell a long story — but in any case, nothing he says is interesting or useful information. The original fifteenth century meaning of windbag was "bellows for an organ," which was literally a bag of wind or air. By the early 1800s, it took on the metaphorical meaning of "person who talks too much."

Example Sentences

Its brevity made it an excellent vehicle for wit — a barb for puncturing bloated egos and windbag grandiosity.

From New York Times • Feb. 9, 2022

He knows which way the wind is blowing, and he will do his best to become a windbag that blows in that direction, whatever humiliating deflation is required first.

From Washington Post • Jan. 7, 2022

Magic and Rob Pelinka have only themselves to blame for allowing this colossal windbag to make them look like fools.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 14, 2017

This windbag at a party about five years ago told me, very loudly, that I had written only one book; the rest are screenplays.

From The Guardian • Dec. 19, 2015

If not, he might have been remembered as a self-aggrandizing windbag with an old-fashioned speaking style and a love of the sound of his own voice.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith