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φλύαρος

phlýaros

G5397 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Root φλυ- to babble, to prattle, to chatter

Definition

A person who speaks incessantly or foolishly; someone given to idle talk or trivial chatter. The term implies a tendency to engage in senseless, pointless, or slanderous speech, lacking seriousness or substantive content. While usually pejorative, it can also refer more generally to someone habitually verbose or indiscreet in conversation.

Semantic Range

garrulous, prating, given to idle or foolish talk, chatterbox, indiscreet or slanderous talker

Root / Etymology

From the root φλυ- ('to bubble, babble, prattle'), with the adjective-forming suffix -αρος. The image conveys bubbling or frothy speech, suggesting lack of depth or value.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, φλύαρος appears as an adjective used to describe both speech and persons, with connotations of nonsense, buffoonery, or excessive talking (see e.g., Herodotus, Lucian). The noun often refers to someone lacking restraint in speech, not only idle but sometimes mischievous or malicious in spreading rumors or foolishness. In the context of the New Testament (e.g., 1 Timothy 5:13), it designates individuals—often women in the social setting—criticized for gossiping or meddlesome talk. Unlike more neutral terms for 'talkative,' φλύαρος emphasizes the negative, trivial, and sometimes socially disruptive character of such speech. English translations often opt for 'tattler' or 'gossip,' but these may not fully convey the sense of foolish or empty loquacity inherent in the Greek. The meaning is consistent across the few extant Koine attestations.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from (to bubble); a garrulous person, i.e. prater:--tattler.

Root Family

φλύαρος (phlýaros) — babble, prattle, chatter, idle talk

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G5397-01 φλύαροι phluaroi ADJ.S NOM F PL tattlers babbling women 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G5397-01 1 Timothy 5:13 φλύαροι phluaroi ADJ.S NOM F PL tattlers babbling women
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