blurb
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
noun
Other Word Forms
- blurbist noun
Etymology
Origin of blurb
An Americanism dating back to 1910–15; allegedly coined by F. G. Burgess
Explanation
A blurb is a short piece of writing that describes or summarizes something longer and more complicated. You might browse in the library, reading blurbs on the backs of books to help you choose what to check out. One type of blurb is written to sell or promote something. A movie's official website might include a blurb describing its plot as well as a short trailer and a cast list, and well-known authors often contribute blurbs full of praise to help other writers market their own books. Any brief written summary can also be called a blurb: in fact, right now you're reading a blurb about the word blurb.
Vocabulary lists containing blurb
National Librarian Day
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"Ad Power," "Without Commercials," and "What's Wrong with Advertising"
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Top 50 Wordle Words of 2023
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He became so famous that at least one Random House book featured a blurb from Cerf himself.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026
The book jacket features a prominent blurb from Johnson calling the doctor’s treatise: “A gripping tale of corruption and courage that will open eyes and prompt serious questions.”
From Salon • Dec. 15, 2025
The public safety blurb was also expanded to clarify that Garvey supports “more training, better resources, and effective crime prevention strategies.”
From Slate • Feb. 5, 2024
He had spoken to Due about providing a blurb for Stephen Graham Jones’ “The Only Good Indians” but didn’t know she was working on a new novel, her first in almost a decade.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 26, 2023
“Just like being by the sea!” the blurb claimed.
From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
