Bloviate

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˈbloʊ.viˌeɪt/

Definitions

1. To engage in lengthy and pretentious conversation that lacks substance
2. To talk for a long time with an inflated style that contributes little meaningful content
3. To express oneself extensively in a grandiose manner without offering much value or insight

Etymology: Warren G. Harding, the U.S. president elected in 1920, is the figure most tied to this word, though he did not coin it. The term appeared in 1845 in Ohio, built from the verb "blow," meaning to speak idly or boast, with an inserted "-i-" and the suffix "-ate," modeled on words like "deviate." The coinage is a piece of playful American word-making rather than a classical borrowing. The word stayed largely regional for decades before Harding's speeches, which critics described as windy and florid, made it a political jibe. Its use as a mocking label for pompous talk is what carried it into wider circulation, and the sense it preserves is still the blustering, content-light speech of its 1845 origin.

Synonyms: gab, gossip, ramble

Antonyms: be concise, summarize