# blatant

/ˈbɫeɪtənt/ (US) · /blˈeɪtənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/blatant
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. obvious and unashamed

adjective · CEFR B2

very obvious and done without trying to hide it, especially when it is something bad.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. loud and harsh

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

making a very loud, unpleasant, and rough noise.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- He made a blatant lie about his age.
- The politician's blatant disregard for the rules shocked the entire committee.
- The blatant contradiction between his public statements and private actions eventually destroyed his credibility among voters.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.