noun

blurb

Blurb (noun) means a short promotional description of a book, film or product, especially the one printed on a cover or posted online. Example: “The blurb on the back gives away half the plot.”

noun

A short promotional description of a book, film or product, especially the one printed on a cover or posted online.

"The blurb on the back gives away half the plot."

"Can you write a hundred-word blurb for the newsletter?"

A short quotation of praise from a well-known person, printed to recommend a book or product.

"Two prize-winning novelists gave her debut a blurb."

verb

informal To write or supply such a promotional description or endorsement.

"He has blurbed almost every thriller published this year."

How to Use Blurb

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe short advertising description on the back of a book.

When to use it

Informal in tone but standard in publishing, marketing and journalism.

Memory tip

A blurb is written to sell; a synopsis is written to inform.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

synopsis → summary → abstract → tagline

Common pairings

back-cover blurb write a blurb a glowing blurb

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ on the back gives away half the plot.

Etymology

An early twentieth-century American coinage, widely credited to the humorist Gelett Burgess, who used it of the gushing praise printed on book jackets.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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description write-up summary teaser copy

Related Words

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Rhymes for blurb

curb

See all rhymes for blurb →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a blurb and a synopsis?

A blurb is marketing copy that hints at the story and withholds the ending in order to tempt a reader to buy. A synopsis is a full summary, usually written for agents, publishers or students, that reveals the whole plot including how it resolves.

How long should a book blurb be?

Most back-cover and online blurbs run to between one hundred and two hundred words, in two or three short paragraphs. The aim is a hook, a sense of the central conflict, and a reason to keep reading, not a complete account of the plot.

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