Word
blatant
Phoneticsbla·tant, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbɫeɪtənt/
UK/blˈeɪtənt/
Definitions
01obvious and unashamed
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. very obvious and done without trying to hide it, especially when it is something bad.
adj. conspicuously obvious and unashamed; used to describe negative actions performed without any attempt at concealment.
“The player was sent off the field for a blatant lie to the referee.”
“The company showed a blatant disregard for safety regulations, leading to a series of avoidable accidents in the factory.”
Usage
Usually precedes the noun it modifies and carries a strong negative tone.
Teaching tip
Learners often confuse this with 'obvious'. While 'obvious' is neutral, 'blatant' almost always implies that the action is wrong or rude.
02loud and harsh
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Literary
adj. making a very loud, unpleasant, and rough noise.
adj. bellowing or disagreeably clamorous; producing a loud and harsh sound.
“The blatant noise of the brass horns filled the old hall.”
“The poet described the blatant bellows of the mythical beast as it emerged from the dark cave.”
Teaching tip
This is the original meaning of the word but is rarely used today. Modern speakers only use 'blatant' to mean 'obvious'.
Real-World Examples
“Sandpapergate, the scandal that engulfed Australia eight years ago, was blatant cheating played out in real time on live television to a global audience.” “The fictional version is more blatant, the dialogue at times blunter than real life.” Etymology
Coined by Edmund Spenser in 1596 in "blatant beast". Probably a variation of *blatand (Scots blaitand (“bleating”)), present participle of blate, a variation of bleat, equivalent to blate + -ant. See bleat. In addition, it is suggested by Latin blatiō (“speak like a fool, prate”), which is rare, and so the similitude may be just coincidental. Compare typologically Bulgarian вопиющ (vopijušt), Russian вопию́щий (vopijúščij) (akin to вопи́ть (vopítʹ)).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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