Use blabbermouth as an informal, usually critical label for someone who cannot stop talking or keep information private.
Use blabbermouth as an informal, usually critical label for someone who cannot stop talking or keep information private.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Do not blabbermouth the plan before Friday. | Do not blab about the plan before Friday. |
| Two blabbermouth were whispering near the printer. | Two blabbermouths were whispering near the printer. |
| She is a blabbermouth who never says a word. | She is tight-lipped and never says a word. |
Use blabbermouth in this sense only for the specialized firefighting nozzle. In ordinary use, the word is far more likely to mean an indiscreet talker.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The crash truck used a blabbermouth to broadcast warnings. | The crash truck used a loudspeaker to broadcast warnings. |
| The airport blabbermouth leaked the secret. | The airport gossip leaked the secret. |
| The blabbermouth hose was cracked. | The blabbermouth nozzle was cracked. |
Use blabbermouth in casual speech for a talkative or indiscreet person. Avoid it in formal writing unless the informal tone is deliberate.
Blabbermouth is used as a verb, although the normal verb is blab.
Formed from blabber and mouth. The social noun is recorded in the early twentieth century for someone who talks excessively and indiscreetly.
What does blabbermouth mean?
Blabbermouth means a person who talks too much, especially one who repeats secrets or private information.
Is blabbermouth insulting?
Yes. It is informal and usually critical, though it can sound playful in a mild context.
Can blabbermouth be used as a verb?
No. The usual verb is blab, as in Do not blab about the plan.
What is the plural of blabbermouth?
The plural is blabbermouths.
Where does blabbermouth come from?
It is formed from blabber and mouth, and it has been used for an indiscreet talker since the early twentieth century.
What is a synonym for blabbermouth?
Chatterbox, gossip, bigmouth, tattletale, and motor-mouth can all fit, depending on tone.
Does blabbermouth have a technical meaning?
Yes. In rare firefighting use, a blabbermouth is a type of foam-dispensing nozzle.