Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Blat

//blæt// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The Soviet system of connections and social relationships; one's social or business network (in Russian or Soviet society). uncountable

    "To open a new business in Russia you need blat."

  2. 2
    Initialism of bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato: a sandwich made with these main ingredients. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
Verb
  1. 1
    To cry, as a calf or sheep; bleat. intransitive
  2. 2
    cry plaintively wordnet
  3. 3
    To make a senseless noise. intransitive

    "A moment later the engine roared into life. Exhaust blatted through the straight-pipes; people stopped on the street to look."

  4. 4
    To talk inconsiderately; blab.
  5. 5
    To produce an overrich or overblown sound on a brass instrument such as a trumpet, trombone, or tuba.
Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    To utter loudly or foolishly; blurt. transitive

Etymology

Etymology 1

Imitative. First attested in 1846 in the intransitive sense of "bleat". Compare English bleat, Old English blǣtan (“to bleat”).

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Russian блат (blat), from Polish blat (“cover, umbrella”) or Yiddish בלאַט (blat, “leaf, list”). Doublet of blade.

See also for "blat"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: blat