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
1
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."
2
A sudden strong gust or blast, especially of wind.
"A bluster of wind knocked the tent over."
verb
1
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."
2
Of wind: to blow in strong, noisy gusts.
"The wind blustered around the cliffs all night."
How to use bluster
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- blusters
- Third person singular
- blusters
- Past tense
- blustered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for bluster
See all rhymes for bluster →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.
