Quick answer
Rodomontade means boastful, bombastic, swaggering speech full of empty bragging. It is usually pronounced , and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Rodomontade
Rodomontade means boastful, bombastic, swaggering speech full of empty bragging. It belongs to pompous and grandiloquent words and works best in formal mockery, pompous speeches, and sentences that want impressive weight. It still feels usable today, especially when you want a word with more character than the plainest alternative.
At a glance
pompousformalgrandiloquent
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
In plain English, rodomontade refers to boastful, bombastic, swaggering speech full of empty bragging. It is most useful when a plain label would tell the truth but miss the tone, flavor, or comic edge.
Why this word feels absurd
Rodomontade feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Rodomontade is generally traced to origin uncertain. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Rodomontade is still used today, though it often turns up in more formal, literary, or analytical writing than in casual conversation.
Example sentences
- The column dismissed the whole rumor as rodomontade.
- In the novel, one rodomontade is enough to derail the dinner party.
- She used rodomontade in the essay because the plain modern word felt too bland.
- The teacher paused to explain rodomontade before asking the class to use it in context.
- They kept repeating rodomontade because the sound of it was almost as memorable as the meaning.
When should you use this word?
Use rodomontade when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in formal mockery, pompous speeches, and sentences that want impressive weight.
Similar words
bloviation, bombast, calcified, contumelious, coruscating
Opposite or contrasting words
plain speech, brevity, simplicity
Common questions
- What does rodomontade mean? boastful, bombastic, swaggering speech full of empty bragging.
- How do you pronounce rodomontade? It is commonly pronounced .
- Is rodomontade still used today? Rodomontade is still used today, though it often turns up in more formal, literary, or analytical writing than in casual conversation.
- When should you use rodomontade? Use rodomontade when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in formal mockery, pompous speeches, and sentences that want impressive weight.
- What words are similar to rodomontade? Similar words include bloviation, bombast, calcified, and contumelious.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.