blabbermouth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Mid-frequencyInformal, often pejorative
Quick answer
What does “blabbermouth” mean?
A person who talks too much, especially about things that should be kept secret or private.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who talks too much, especially about things that should be kept secret or private.
An indiscreet or gossipy person who reveals confidential information or secrets; can also refer to someone who simply talks incessantly and annoyingly.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and meaning are identical. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Identical; strongly informal and negative.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English colloquial use, but common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “blabbermouth” in a Sentence
[Subject] is a blabbermouth.Don't tell [Indirect Object], the blabbermouth.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blabbermouth” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I wish he'd stop blabbermouthing about the surprise party.
- She tends to blabbermouth after a few drinks.
American English
- He totally blabbermouthed the company's merger plans.
- Don't blabbermouth this to anyone, okay?
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Informal, used to criticise a colleague who leaks confidential project details or office gossip.
Academic
Rarely used; considered too informal for scholarly writing.
Everyday
Common in casual speech among friends and family to describe someone who can't keep a secret.
Technical
Not used in technical registers.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blabbermouth”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blabbermouth”
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Spelling as 'blabermouth'.
- Confusing with 'loudmouth', which focuses on volume/boastfulness rather than secrecy.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is informal and always pejorative. It is an insult, implying the person is untrustworthy and indiscreet.
Informally, yes (e.g., 'He blabbermouthed the news'), but the noun form is far more common and standard.
A 'chatterbox' talks a lot, often about trivial things, but not necessarily secrets. A 'blabbermouth' specifically reveals information that should be private or secret.
No. The concept is inherently negative. A more positive term for someone who talks a lot might be 'communicative' or 'gregarious', but these lack the connotation of revealing secrets.
A person who talks too much, especially about things that should be kept secret or private.
Blabbermouth is usually informal, often pejorative in register.
Blabbermouth: in British English it is pronounced /ˈblæb.ə.maʊθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈblæb.ɚ.maʊθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Loose lips sink ships (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'blabber' (to talk nonsense) + 'mouth' = a mouth that blabs secrets.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MOUTH IS A LEAKY CONTAINER (secrets/spoken words leak out uncontrollably).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely use the word 'blabbermouth'?