bavard

Bavard is a French adjective meaning talkative or loquacious. It is derived from the verb bavarder, to chatter, and is used to describe someone who talks a lot. The masculine form is bavard and the feminine form is bavarde; the noun forms are un bavard and une bavarde, referring to a person who chatters. The related noun bavardage denotes the act or quality of chattering, i.e., talkativeness or idle chatter.

In use, bavard can carry a neutral or slightly pejorative nuance depending on context. It is commonly applied to describe people, such as children, colleagues, or friends, who speak frequently or at length. For example, one might say: C'est un enfant bavard.

Bavarder, the verb, means to chat or to engage in conversation. Phrases built around bavard often emphasize sociability or busyness in conversation, and the term is widespread in everyday French language, literature, and media. The word’s tone can shift with context or accompanying adjectives, ranging from affectionate to critical.

Related terms include bavardage, the noun for the act of chattering, and other language forms connected to talking, such as bavarder (to chat) and the broader idea of loquacity. As a common descriptor, bavard remains a standard part of everyday French vocabularies for characterizing talkative behavior.