ENGLISH
REFERENCE

blatant

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈbɫeɪtənt// UK //blˈeɪtənt// bla·tant Archaic

adj. very obvious and impossible to ignore. You use this when something is clear to everyone, often in a way that feels rude or bold.

adj. completely obvious and impossible to ignore or deny. Often carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of subtlety or shame.


SIMPLE

He made a blatant lie about his age.

CONTEXTUAL

The politician's blatant disregard for the rules shocked the entire committee.

COMPLEX

The blatant contradiction between his public statements and private actions eventually destroyed his credibility among voters.

Synonyms
Origin

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)).

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