noun
blarney
BLAH-nee
noun
1
Smooth, flattering talk meant to persuade or charm someone, often without much truth behind it.
"Don't believe his blarney — he says that to every customer."
"She charmed the committee with a bit of Irish blarney."
verb
1
To win someone over with flattering, persuasive talk.
"He blarneyed his way into a better deal."
How to Use Blarney
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCharming, flattering talk used to win someone over.
Common pairings
a bit of blarney
pure blarney
Word Forms
blarneyed past tense, blarneys singular
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Etymology
Named after Blarney Castle in Ireland, home of the Blarney Stone, which legend says gives whoever kisses it the gift of persuasive speech.