blare
C1Slightly formal to neutral. Often used in descriptive writing and news reporting.
Definition
Meaning
A loud, harsh, often unpleasant sound, such as a trumpet, horn, or loudspeaker makes.
To sound or be expressed loudly, stridently, or obtrusively. Can be used metaphorically for glaring visual information, like a 'blaring headline'.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Inherently negative or neutral connotation; implies an intrusive, unavoidable sound or message. As a verb, it can be transitive (blare the horn) or intransitive (the music blared).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. The word is equally understood and used in both varieties.
Connotations
Consistently conveys a sense of loud, unpleasant intrusiveness in both dialects.
Frequency
Similar, moderately low frequency in both; more common in writing than in casual speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] blares (intransitive)[Subject] blares + [Object] (transitive)[Subject] blares out[Subject] blares + [Adverbial of place, e.g., from the speakers]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “blare from the rooftops (to announce something loudly and publicly)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Metaphorical: 'The company's financial woes were blared across the front page.'
Academic
Rare; possibly in media studies or descriptive passages.
Everyday
Describing loud, annoying noise: 'I couldn't sleep because the car alarm was blaring all night.'
Technical
Not typical; more relevant in sound engineering or acoustics as descriptive, non-technical term.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The neighbour's television blared through the thin walls until midnight.
- Headlines blared the news of the royal engagement across every newspaper.
- A lorry blared its horn impatiently in the traffic jam.
American English
- The car radio blared a classic rock anthem as they drove down the highway.
- Protest signs and blaring loudspeakers filled the city square.
- The stadium speakers blared out the team's victory song.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form in common use.
American English
- No standard adverb form in common use.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjective form in common use.
American English
- No standard adjective form in common use.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The fire alarm blared, and everyone left the building.
- The music from the party was blaring.
- I heard the blare of a car horn.
- The politician's controversial statement was blared across all the news channels.
- A sudden blare of trumpets announced the start of the ceremony.
- He turned down the blaring radio to concentrate on driving.
- Amidst the blare of advertising and social media, finding truthful information can be challenging.
- The dictator's propaganda blared incessantly from public loudspeakers, shaping the daily reality.
- Critics accused the film of blaring its moral message too stridently, sacrificing subtlety for impact.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a glaringly bright light and a blaringly loud siren – both are harsh, intrusive, and impossible to ignore.
Conceptual Metaphor
LOUD SOUND IS AGGRESSIVE FORCE / INFORMATION IS SOUND ('The news blared the scandal.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using "blare" for a beautiful, loud sound like an opera singer's powerful note (use 'resound' or 'ring out').
- Do not confuse with "blast," which can imply an explosion or a single loud burst; "blare" suggests a continuous, harsh sound.
- "Blare" is more specific than the general Russian "греметь" or "грохотать."
Common Mistakes
- Using 'blare' for a pleasant loud sound (e.g., *'The orchestra blared a beautiful symphony.').
- Confusing spelling with 'blaze' (to burn brightly).
- Using it as a noun for a soft sound.
Practice
Quiz
In which of these sentences is 'blare' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not literally for the sound of light. However, metaphorically, it is used for visually glaring or obtrusive things, e.g., 'blaring neon signs' or 'headlines in blaring type.'
Mostly negative or neutral. It describes sounds that are harsh, intrusive, and often unpleasant. It is rarely used for sounds that are enjoyed.
'Blare' suggests a continuous, loud, harsh sound (horns, loudspeakers). 'Blast' implies a sudden, explosive burst of sound (a whistle, a single horn toot). 'Shriek' is a high-pitched, piercing sound (a person, a kettle, brakes).
It's not among the most common everyday words (like 'say' or 'make'), but it is a standard, well-known word in the language, particularly useful for vivid description in writing.