Blowhard Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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blowhard
[ˈbloʊˌhɑːrd ]
Definition
personality trait
A person who talks too much about themselves and their achievements, often in a boastful or arrogant way. They tend to exaggerate their own importance and abilities.
Synonyms
braggart, egotist, gasbag, windbag.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| blowhard |
Used to describe someone who talks too much and brags a lot in an annoying way. Often used negatively.
|
| braggart |
This word is typically used to describe someone who boasts about their accomplishments or possessions irritatingly. It has a negative connotation.
|
| egotist |
An egotist is someone who is excessively self-centered and thinks very highly of themselves. This term is often negative.
|
| gasbag |
A gasbag is someone who talks a lot, often about trivial matters or themselves. The term is informal and has a negative tone.
|
| windbag |
This word is similar to 'gasbag' and describes someone who speaks at length but has little substance to share. It’s also negative.
|
Examples of usage
- He's such a blowhard, always bragging about his accomplishments.
- Don't pay attention to him, he's just a blowhard trying to impress everyone.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Pop Culture
- The term is often featured in political commentary to describe politicians who exaggerate their achievements.
- In various movies and TV shows, 'blowhard' characters are used for comedic effect, representing exaggerated ego or bravado.
Psychology
- Research suggests that individuals who frequently boast may do so to compensate for insecurities or low self-esteem.
- The phenomenon of 'impression management' is often at play, where people try to control how they're perceived by others, leading to blowhard behavior.
Literature
- In satirical works, blowhard characters often serve as critiques of societal arrogance and hypocrisy.
- Classic literature often uses these characters to highlight the disparity between appearance and reality, calling attention to fake bravado.
Social Dynamics
- In group settings, a blowhard can often dominate conversations, reducing the space for genuine dialogue.
- Their loudness can sometimes mask the valuable contributions of quieter individuals, highlighting a common struggle in collaborative environments.
Origin of 'blowhard'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'blow' refers to boasting or speaking forcefully, while 'hard' emphasizes that this behavior is done excessively.
- It emerged in American English in the late 19th century, reflecting a cultural view on loud and boastful personalities.
The term 'blowhard' originated in the early 19th century in the United States. It is a combination of 'blow' (to boast or talk loudly) and 'hard' (in the sense of stubborn or unyielding). Over time, it has become a popular slang term to describe someone who speaks loudly and boastfully about themselves.