blat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Informal, Slang
Quick answer
What does “blat” mean?
to make a loud, harsh noise or cry.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to make a loud, harsh noise or cry; also, to state something openly and loudly.
Informal: to blatantly or shamelessly do something, especially flout rules or display something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use 'blat' for sound and conspicuous action, but the 'flout rules' sense is slightly more common in US political/sports slang.
Connotations
Often negative, implying crudeness, loudness, or shamelessness.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but recognized due to related adjective 'blatant'.
Grammar
How to Use “blat” in a Sentence
SUBJ + blat + OBJ (sound)SUBJ + blat + out + OBJ (sound/news)SUBJ + blat + (that) CLAUSEVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blat” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The lorry's air horn blatted incessantly in the traffic jam.
- He just blatted out the secret without a second thought.
American English
- The politician blatted his opposition to the bill on every news channel.
- The modified exhaust blatted on startup.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard)
American English
- (Not standard)
adjective
British English
- (Not standard; use 'blatant')
American English
- (Not standard; use 'blatant')
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; 'The report blats out the company's failures.'
Academic
Virtually unused in formal writing.
Everyday
'The car horn blatted right outside my window.'
Technical
In music, a harsh brass sound.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blat”
- Using 'blat' as a noun for a person (incorrect).
- Confusing 'blat' (verb) with 'blatant' (adjective).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a real, though informal, verb with historical usage, primarily for sound. The 'flout rules' sense is modern slang.
They are close synonyms for sound. 'Blare' is more common and can imply a longer, more resonant noise. 'Blat' often suggests a shorter, harsher, more abrupt sound.
Yes, but it's very rare. It would refer to the instance or sound of blatting (e.g., 'a sudden blat from the trumpet'). The noun is far less common than the verb.
Yes. 'Blatant' (meaning 'obvious, conspicuous, shameless') likely evolved from 'blat', implying something so obvious it 'shouts' at you.
to make a loud, harsh noise or cry.
Blat is usually informal, slang in register.
Blat: in British English it is pronounced /blat/, and in American English it is pronounced /blæt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(US) to blat the system (to exploit it openly)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BLAT' sounds like the noise a dying car horn or a rude trumpet might make - loud and unpleasant.
Conceptual Metaphor
LOUD SOUND IS FORCEFUL/AGGRESSIVE COMMUNICATION (He blatted his opinion across the room).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'blat' correctly?