blah: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “blah” mean?
Used to represent meaningless or boring talk.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Used to represent meaningless or boring talk; empty, uninteresting speech or writing.
Can refer to a general feeling of boredom, lethargy, or dissatisfaction; also used as a placeholder for unspecified things or details.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. Slightly more common in American English as a standalone interjection ('Blah!'). The phrase 'blah blah blah' is universal.
Connotations
Equally dismissive and informal in both varieties.
Frequency
High frequency in informal spoken contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “blah” in a Sentence
feel + blah (adj)go on + blah-ing (v)the usual + blah (n)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blah” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He just blah-blahed on about football for an hour.
- Stop blahing and get to the point.
American English
- She blah-blahed through the entire meeting.
- He kept blahing about his new diet.
adverb
British English
- The presentation went blah, and everyone lost interest.
- He spoke blah, with no real passion.
American English
- The party was just blah, nothing special.
- The movie started strong but ended blah.
adjective
British English
- I'm feeling a bit blah today—let's not go out.
- The weather's been so blah recently.
American English
- I woke up feeling totally blah.
- It was a blah performance from the team.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except informally to dismiss corporate jargon: 'The report was just full of management blah.'
Academic
Very rare; considered non-scholarly.
Everyday
Very common in casual speech to summarise or dismiss tedious talk.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blah”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Overusing as a filler in speech.
- Spelling as 'bla'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is an established informal word in major dictionaries, used to represent tedious or meaningless speech.
No, it is strictly informal and colloquial. Its use in formal contexts would be considered inappropriate and unprofessional.
It means feeling bored, lethargic, mildly depressed, or generally unenthusiastic, without a specific cause.
It is an onomatopoeic word, imitating the sound of meaningless talk. It first appeared in American English in the early 20th century.
Used to represent meaningless or boring talk.
Blah: in British English it is pronounced /blɑː/, and in American English it is pronounced /blɑː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “blah blah blah”
- “same old blah”
- “the blahs (a state of boredom/depression)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Sounds like a bored person's lips flapping: 'blah blah blah'.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEANINGLESS SPEECH IS EMPTY NOISE / BOREDOM IS A DULL COLOUR (feeling blah).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'blah' LEAST appropriate?