What does palaver mean?
Palaver is an informal word for talk or discussion that goes on longer than it needs to, especially when the subject is trivial, confused, or endlessly repeated. As a noun, it can denote the talk itself—“What a palaver!”—or, by extension, the fuss and effort surrounding a matter. As a verb, it means to talk at length, often without reaching a useful conclusion. The word commonly carries a mildly dismissive or impatient tone: calling something palaver suggests that it is noisy rather than productive. It is used in both British and American English and is especially familiar in British speech, though its older formal senses included consultation and conference. Etymologically, it entered English from Portuguese palavra, meaning “word” or “speech,” ultimately from Latin parlare, “to speak.” That shared ancestry explains its connection with parley, parlance, and parole. Palaver is useful when a speaker wants to characterize talk as excessive, idle, or muddled rather than merely neutral conversation.
An extended and often trivial, confused, or tiresome discussion or piece of talk.
"We spent the whole meeting in a pointless palaver about the agenda."
Usually informal; the tone is commonly dismissive or exasperated.
To talk at length, especially in a pointless, confused, or tiresome way.
"They kept palavering instead of making a decision."
Often implies that the talking is unproductive, excessive, or muddled.
The plural is normally unchanged, and the noun is also frequently used as an uncountable mass noun.
"There was more palaver than progress before the meeting ended."
Palaver turns “talking” into something to be endured: when a discussion becomes a palaver, the words are plentiful but the progress is not.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of palaver
The word entered English in the 17th century from Portuguese palavra, meaning “word” or “speech.” Portuguese palavra ultimately continues Latin parlare, “to speak,” the source of related English words such as parley, parlance, parlour, and parliament. The borrowing initially referred to formal discussion or consultation before developing its modern sense of prolonged, often pointless talk.
Related word forms
How palaver is actually used
Informal and often mildly dismissive, impatient, or contemptuous. It is especially familiar in British English but is also established in American English. Older formal uses meaning “consultation” or “conference” are now uncommon.