bleat Hear it!

bleat Definition

bleat (blēt)

intransitive verb

  1. to make its characteristic cry: said of a sheep, goat, or calf
  2. to make a sound like this cry
  3. to speak foolishly, whiningly, or querulously

Etymology: ME bleten < OE blætan: see blear

transitive verb

to say or express in a bleating voice

noun

  1. the cry of a sheep, goat, or calf
  2. any sound or utterance like this

Related Forms:

bleat Usage Examples

Preposition: about

  • need: Last week at the Labor party conference there was a lot of bleating about the needs of " hard-working families " .

Object

  • sheep: I must admit on my travels there are few places like it for lush green fields, bleating sheep and incessant rain.
  • noise: Bleating noises from bureaucrats in Brussels who see their expense accounts under threat only tend to frighten children of a very timorous disposition.
  • goat: There was even a makeshift pen crowded with bleating goats.

Converse of object

  • hear: The wolves had spent most of the night in their hiding place, whining eagerly whenever they'd heard a goat bleat.

Adjective modifier

  • timid: The Department of Health's response is a timid bleat, proving once again the great influence of the Pharmas over Government.
  • calm: In the hurly-burly of debate about iconic space and squiggly landmarks, his voice is a calm bleat of common sense.

Modifying Another Word

  • loudly: As Father Hugh spoke all the sheep outside the chapel started bleating very loudly.
  • then: She then bleated about " you have to give 2 weeks notice before you run a tram " - Rubbish!
  • much: You can bleat as much as you like, but you will not be heard.
  • n't: Last night I was n't bleating from that kind of pain.
  • endlessly: Instead, they bleat endlessly about the hypothetical risks of recombinant DNA technology -- which never materialize.
  • now: Posted by: Andrew | June 20, 2005 03:43 PM Does that mean you'll all stop bleating now?

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • out: Prescott bleats out ' trust Tony ' , that's what leadership is all about.

Preposition: of

  • sheep: Every sound seemed magnified and the bleating of the sheep and goats nearly drowned out the sound of hooves coming up behind me.
  • lamb: The barking of dogs, the bleat of a lamb The rush of the wind, a door on the slam.
  • goat: She asked, " How can our married life be happy, when the dying bleat of this goat is the prolog?
  • sense: In the hurly-burly of debate about iconic space and squiggly landmarks, his voice is a calm bleat of common sense.

Noun used with modifier

  • sheep: You've ever heard a sheep bleat and had romantic thoughts.

Preposition: like

  • sheep: They let you moo like cattle, bleat like sheep.

Browse dictionary entries near bleat

  1. bleary-eyed
  2. bleary
  3. bleariness
  4. blearily
  5. bleariest
  6. blearier
  7. bleareyed
  8. blear
  9. bleaks
  10. bleakness
  1. bleater
  2. bleb
  3. blebby
  4. bled
  5. bleed
  6. bleeder
  7. bleeding
  8. bleeding heart
  9. bleep
  10. blemish