Definition of BLUSTER

bluster

Plural: blusters

Noun

  • noisy confusion and turbulence
    • "he was awakened by the bluster of their preparations"
  • a swaggering show of courage
  • a violent gusty wind
  • vain and empty boasting
  • Pompous, officious talk.
  • A gust of wind.
  • Fitful noise and violence.

Verb

Verb Forms: blustered, blustering, blusters

  • To talk in a loud, aggressive, or arrogant way.
  • blow hard; be gusty, as of wind
    • "A southeaster blustered onshore"
    • "The flames blustered"
  • show off
  • act in an arrogant, overly self-assured, or conceited manner
  • To speak or protest loudly.
  • To act or speak in an unduly threatening manner.
  • To blow in strong or sudden gusts (refers to winds).

Examples

  • He liked to BLUSTER about his Scrabble prowess, but his scores told a different story.
  • When confronted by opposition his reaction was to bluster, which often cowed the meek.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English blusteren (“to wander about aimlessly”); however, apparently picking up the modern sense from Middle Low German blüstren (“to blow violently”; compare later Low German blustern, blistern). Related to blow, blast. Compare also Saterland Frisian bloasje (“to blow”), bruusje (“to bluster”).

Scrabble Score: 9

bluster: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
bluster: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
bluster: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 12

bluster: valid Words With Friends Word