NYT Dictionary

BLATANT

/ˈbleɪtənt/
AdjectiveBLA-tantbla-tant · 2 syllablesGrade 7

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025

Meaning

Obvious, on show; unashamed; loudly obtrusive or offensive.

Etymology

Origin: Latin

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)).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

ostentatiousbedizenedblatantblingishbrashcampycatchpennychichichintzycorny

Antonyms

furtive

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 6 recorded puzzles:

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