What does "palaver" mean?
A village council meeting.
Palaver
/pəˈlɑː.və(ɹ)/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A village council meeting.
- Grammar: palaver is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: absurdity, accent, accents, adulate.
- Useful contrasts: action, brevity, conciseness.
- Usage evidence: We have no time to waste in idle palaver.
How to use "palaver"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "palaver" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "palaver" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "palaver" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "palaver" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "palaver" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "absurdity" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "palaver", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A village council meeting. Africa, countable, uncountable
"Here we remained four days, on account of a palaver which was held on the following occasion."
- 2 loud and confused and empty talk wordnet
- 3 Talk, especially unnecessary talk; chatter. Canada, US, archaic, countable, uncountable
"Frances pulled his hair heartily, and then went and seated herself on her husband’s knee, and there they were, like two babies, kissing and talking nonsense by the hour—foolish palaver that we should be ashamed of."
- 4 flattery intended to persuade wordnet
- 5 Mentally draining activity, either physical or fuss. British, countable, uncountable
"What a palaver!"
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 A meeting at which there is much talk; a debate; a moot. countable, uncountable
"this country and epoch of parliaments and eloquent palavers"
- 7 Disagreement. countable, informal, uncountable
"I have no palaver with him."
- 8 Talk intended to deceive. countable, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To discuss with much talk. intransitive
"“Come, come, Captain Bildad; stop palavering,—away!” and with that, Peleg hurried him over the side, and both dropt into the boat."
- 2 have a lengthy discussion, usually between people of different backgrounds wordnet
- 3 To flatter. transitive
"Dodd never spoke to his officers like a ruffian, nor yet palavered them."
- 4 influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering wordnet
- 5 speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"We have no time to waste in idle palaver."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "palaver"?
Common synonyms include: absurdity, accent, accents, adulate, adulation, advise with.
How do you use "palaver" in a sentence?
We have no time to waste in idle palaver.
How do you pronounce "palaver"?
Pronounced /pəˈlɑː.və(ɹ)/.
Etymology
Originally nautical slang, from Portuguese palavra (“word”), from Late Latin parabola (“parable, speech”). The term's use (especially in Africa) mimics the evolution of the word moot. As such, for sense development, see moot. Doublet of parable, parole, and parabola.