Bombastic
/bɒmˈbæstɪk/noun
Characterized by extravagant or pretentious language or style.
Did you know?The term "bombastic" originally referred to a type of cotton used for stuffing, evoking the idea of inflated speech as if filled with fluff.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
Latin
bombax
“Cotton, a fibrous material used for padding.”
17th Century
English
bombast
“Stuffing or padding, especially in relation to speech or writing.”
18th Century
English
bombasticus
“Pertaining to bombast; inflated in style or language.”
19th Century
English
bombastic
“Describing speech or writing that is pompous or grandiose.”
Explore more surprising origins