WordGarden.ioblatant
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /blˈeɪtənt/
US
- /ˈbleɪtənt/
Meanings
Adjective
offensively obvious and unashamed
Beyond the definition
Imagine someone cutting in line at the grocery store right in front of the cashier—boldly stepping ahead and making no attempt to hide it. That feels intentionally rude, because the behavior is done so openly that it almost invites outrage. A blatant lie isn't a little white lie; it's a large, easily spotted falsehood. Think of it as conduct that is impossible to ignore, often in a way that feels offensive or tactless. You might describe a politician making a false promise as showing blatant hypocrisy.
The word “blatant” describes something so clear, conspicuous, and unhidden that it is hard to ignore, often because it feels offensive or uncalled-for. It is usually more than merely noticeable, often implying a lack of tact or a deliberate disregard for discretion.
Historically, the term appears in 16th-century literature, notably in Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene, where the “Blatant Beast” was a thousand-tongued creature associated with slander and noisy gossip. It originally carried a sense of noise and clamoring, then came to be used for actions or statements that stand out in a bold, intrusive way.
Today we use it for things that jump off the page or stage: a blatant error in a report, blatant bias in a story, or blatant disregard for safety rules. The sense is usually negative, suggesting dishonesty, insensitivity, or a lack of subtlety. You wouldn’t describe a beautiful sunset as "blatant," but you might use it for manipulative advertising that seems designed to deceive people.
If something is impossible to miss and feels socially unacceptable, it's likely this word.
Examples
- 1
Lying
He told a blatant lie about where he had been.
- 2
Blame shifting
It was a blatant attempt to shift the blame onto his assistant.
- 3
Safety rules
The company showed a blatant disregard for basic safety rules.
- Patternblatant disregard for + something
a very obvious lack of care about it
- 4
Sports
Even the home crowd admitted it was a blatant foul.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Report errors
The report was full of blatant errors that nobody had bothered to fix.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- blatantadjective