WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
blus•ter /ˈblʌstɚ/USA pronunciation
v. [no object]
n. [uncountable]
blus•ter•ing•ly, adv.
blus•ter•ous, adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- (of wind) to roar or blow roughly:the blustering wind.
- to make loud but empty threats:blustered about how they would beat us all up.
n. [uncountable]
- boisterous noise and violence: the bluster of a storm at sea.
- noisy, empty threats or protests:That's just bluster; he has no real intention of firing you.
blus•ter•ing•ly, adv.
blus•ter•ous, adj.
blus•ter
(blus′tər),USA pronunciation v.i.
v.t.
n.
blus′ter•er, n.
blus′ter•ing•ly, adv.
blus′ter•y, blus′ter•ous, adj.
blus′ter•ous•ly, adv.
- to roar and be tumultuous, as wind.
- to be loud, noisy, or swaggering;
utter loud, empty menaces or protests:He blusters about revenge but does nothing.
v.t.
- to force or accomplish by blustering:He blustered his way through the crowd.
n.
- boisterous noise and violence:the bluster of the streets.
- noisy, empty threats or protests;
inflated talk:bluff and bluster.
- Low German blustern, blüstern to blow violently; compare Old Norse blāstr blowing, hissing
- perh. 1520–30
blus′ter•ing•ly, adv.
blus′ter•y, blus′ter•ous, adj.
blus′ter•ous•ly, adv.
- 2. rant, brag, boast, gloat. 3. threaten, storm, bully.