Blunderbuss
noun
A short gun with a wide opening that was used in the past.
The pirate threatened his captives with a menacing blunderbuss.
Often appears as...
- load a blunderbuss
- fire a blunderbuss
noun
A person who always makes mistakes, especially a clumsy or noisy one.
He is such a blunderbuss, always knocking things over.
Often appears as...
- act like a blunderbuss
- be a blunderbuss
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
noun
A short gun with a wide opening that was used in the past.
The pirate threatened his captives with a menacing blunderbuss.
Often appears as...
- load a blunderbuss
- fire a blunderbuss
noun
A person who always makes mistakes, especially a clumsy or noisy one.
He is such a blunderbuss, always knocking things over.
Often appears as...
- act like a blunderbuss
- be a blunderbuss
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Weapon
Understand blunderbuss as an antique firearm, mostly in historical or fantasy contexts.
In the museum, they displayed a blunderbuss from the 18th century.
Pro Tip 2/3Visual Impact
A blunderbuss looks distinctive with its flared barrel; often depicted in pirate stories.
The bandit's blunderbuss looked imposing despite its rusty condition.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphoric Use
The word may be used metaphorically to describe something broad and unsubtle.
His arguments were like a blunderbuss: loud and lacking precision.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Weapon
Understand blunderbuss as an antique firearm, mostly in historical or fantasy contexts.
In the museum, they displayed a blunderbuss from the 18th century.
Pro Tip 2/3Visual Impact
A blunderbuss looks distinctive with its flared barrel; often depicted in pirate stories.
The bandit's blunderbuss looked imposing despite its rusty condition.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphoric Use
The word may be used metaphorically to describe something broad and unsubtle.
His arguments were like a blunderbuss: loud and lacking precision.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Weapon
Understand blunderbuss as an antique firearm, mostly in historical or fantasy contexts.
In the museum, they displayed a blunderbuss from the 18th century.
Pro Tip 2/3Visual Impact
A blunderbuss looks distinctive with its flared barrel; often depicted in pirate stories.
The bandit's blunderbuss looked imposing despite its rusty condition.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphoric Use
The word may be used metaphorically to describe something broad and unsubtle.
His arguments were like a blunderbuss: loud and lacking precision.
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Quote examples
Jack White
American Musician
I've always loved the word blunderbuss. I've always thought that it was a beautiful word and that it could mean several different things.
Quote examples
Jack White
American Musician
I've always loved the word blunderbuss. I've always thought that it was a beautiful word and that it could mean several different things.
Example 1 of 1
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