Blabbering

Blabbering is the act of talking at length, often rapidly and without apparent regard for relevance or the needs of listeners. It typically involves excessive, indiscreet, or unfocused speech that may overwhelm a conversation, dominate a room, or derail a discussion. While light, familiar chattering can be sociable, blabbering tends to be repetitive or tangential and may make it difficult for others to contribute or glean information.

The term blabbering comes from the verb blabber, which imitates the sound of babbling. In English, blabbering is informal and sometimes carries a mildly pejorative tone. The noun form blabbering describes the behavior; a person who engages in it is called a blabber or blabbermouth in colloquial speech.

Blabbering occurs in classrooms, offices, social gatherings, and online chats. It can hinder effective communication by reducing listening time, spreading irrelevant details, or sharing confidential information. Persistent blabbering may reflect anxiety, high extraversion, or impulsivity, but is not itself a medical diagnosis.

Helpful approaches include establishing speaking turn-taking, using agendas or time limits, and modeling concise, purposeful speech. Listeners can respond with summaries, questions to steer discussion, or neutral prompts to invite others. In professional settings, facilitators may apply active listening techniques and meeting management tools to curb excessive talking.