blatant
Blatant (adj) means Completely obvious and unashamed, especially about something wrong. Example: “It was a blatant lie, and everyone in the room knew it.”
How to use blatant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSo obvious it can't be missed or excused, often used about bad behaviour done openly.
Blatant almost always carries a negative judgment — you wouldn't call a kind act "blatant."
Word forms
more blatant comparative, most blatant superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It was a _____ lie, and everyone in the room knew it.
Etymology
Coined by the poet Edmund Spenser in 1596 for his monstrous "blatant beast," likely inspired by "bleat" — the idea of something loudly and harshly sounding off.
Rhymes for blatant
See all rhymes for blatant →Frequently asked questions
What does “blatant” mean?
The word “blatant” means completely obvious and unashamed, especially about something wrong. In plain terms, so obvious it can't be missed or excused, often used about bad behaviour done openly.
How do you pronounce “blatant”?
“Blatant” is pronounced BLAY-tuhnt (/ˈbleɪtənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “blatant” in a sentence?
Here is “blatant” used in a sentence: “It was a blatant lie, and everyone in the room knew it.”
What part of speech is “blatant”?
“Blatant” is an adjective.
Where does the word “blatant” come from?
The word “blatant” dates back to around 1596. Coined by the poet Edmund Spenser in 1596 for his monstrous "blatant beast," likely inspired by "bleat" — the idea of something loudly and harshly sounding off.
Is “blatant” a common word?
“Blatant” is an uncommon word in modern English.