Blowhard

/ˈbloʊhɑrd/ noun

Definition

A person who talks excessively and boastfully about themselves without saying anything important or true.

Etymology

American slang combining 'blow' (to talk) and 'hard' (with force), first appearing in the 1850s. 'Blow' as slang for 'boast' dates back even further to earlier centuries.

Kelly Says

Mark Twain and other 19th-century American writers loved this word—it perfectly captures the con artists and braggarts of frontier towns. It's still one of the most satisfying insults because it combines the sound of air with the idea of hot air.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.