noun

bluster

BLUHS-tuh

Bluster (noun) means Loud, blustering talk that is more show than substance; empty bravado. Example: “Behind all the bluster, he had no real plan.”

noun

Loud, blustering talk that is more show than substance; empty bravado.

"Behind all the bluster, he had no real plan."

"The politician's speech was mostly bluster and short on details."

A sudden strong gust or blast, especially of wind.

"A bluster of wind knocked the tent over."

verb

To talk loudly and aggressively, often to intimidate or to cover up weakness.

"He blustered about suing everyone, but nothing ever came of it."

"She blustered her way through the interview without answering the question."

Of wind: to blow in strong, noisy gusts.

"The wind blustered around the cliffs all night."

How to Use Bluster

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLoud, aggressive talk (or wind) with more noise than real force behind it.

Common mistake

Bluster implies noise without real substance — it's usually used to suggest someone is all talk.

Common pairings

empty bluster bluster and bravado a bluster of wind

Word Forms

blustered past tense, blusters plural, blusters singular

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Behind all the _____, he had no real plan.

Etymology

From Middle English blusteren, originally meaning "to wander aimlessly," which later picked up the sense "to blow violently" from a Low German relative — the same family as blow and blast.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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gas blow boast brag tout swagger bravado swash vaunt gasconade braggadocio rodomontade

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Rhymes for bluster

muster luster buster duster Custer cluster Shuster thruster Schuster adjuster filibuster blockbuster

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “bluster” mean?

The word “bluster” means loud, blustering talk that is more show than substance; empty bravado. In plain terms, loud, aggressive talk (or wind) with more noise than real force behind it.

How do you pronounce “bluster”?

“Bluster” is pronounced BLUHS-tuh (/ˈblʌs.tɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “bluster” in a sentence?

Here is “bluster” used in a sentence: “Behind all the bluster, he had no real plan.”

What part of speech is “bluster”?

Depending on how it is used, “bluster” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “bluster” come from?

The word “bluster” comes from Middle English. From Middle English blusteren, originally meaning "to wander aimlessly," which later picked up the sense "to blow violently" from a Low German relative — the same family as blow and blast.

How many meanings does “bluster” have?

“Bluster” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: loud, blustering talk that is more show than substance; empty bravado.

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