Blubbered: meaning, definitions and examples

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blubbered

 

[ ˈblʌb.ərd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

emotional state

Blubbered refers to the act of crying noisily and uncontrollably, typically in response to strong emotions such as sadness or distress. This term often carries a connotation of excessive or childlike crying.

Synonyms

cried, sobbed, wailed

Examples of usage

  • He blubbered when he heard the bad news.
  • The child blubbered after falling off the swing.
  • She blubbered into her pillow after the breakup.

Etymology

The word 'blubbered' is derived from the Middle English word 'blobberen,' which means 'to bubble' or 'to make a bubbling sound.' This, in turn, comes from Old English 'bloberian,' suggesting noise and movement associated with crying. The term 'blubber' itself originally referred to the thick layer of fat found under the skin of marine mammals, such as whales. Over time, the meaning of 'blubber' transitioned to refer to both the fat and the act of weeping or crying noisily. This evolution reflects how the sound and appearance of crying resemble the bubbling or blubbing of liquid. The emotional connotation of the word prevailed, especially in contexts indicating a loss of control during crying.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,821, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.