First Known Use: 1735
Dictionary
1palaver
noun pa·lav·er \pə-ˈla-vər, -ˈlä-\
: talk that is not important or meaningful
: excitement and activity caused by something that is not important
Full Definition of PALAVER
1
a : a long parley usually between persons of different cultures or levels of sophistication b : conference, discussion
2
a : idle talk b : misleading or beguiling speech
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Origin of PALAVER
Portuguese palavra word, speech, from Late Latin parabola parable, speech
Related to PALAVER
- Synonyms
- argument, argumentation, argy-bargy [chiefly British], back-and-forth, colloquy, confab, confabulation, conference, consult, consultation, council, counsel, debate, deliberation, dialogue (also dialog), give-and-take, discussion, parley, talk
Rhymes with PALAVER
2palaver
verb
pa·lav·eredpa·lav·er·ing \pə-ˈla-və-riŋ, -ˈlä-; -ˈlav-riŋ, -ˈläv-\
Definition of PALAVER
intransitive verb
1
: to talk profusely or idly
2
: parley
transitive verb
: to use palaver to : cajole
First Known Use of PALAVER
1773
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