Blurbs are short descriptions or summaries of a book, movie, or other creative work that are used to promote it. They are often found on the back cover or inside flap of a book, or in advertisements for movies or other media. Blurbs are an important part of marketing and can help to generate interest in a work.
Definitions
A blurb is a short promotional piece accompanying a creative work. It may be written by the author or publisher or by a critic or reviewer. Blurbs are typically brief and to the point, highlighting the most important aspects of the work and encouraging readers or viewers to check it out.
Origin
The word “blurb” is believed to have been coined by the American humorist Gelett Burgess in 1907. Burgess wrote a book called “Are You a Bromide?” and asked his publisher to come up with a short promotional piece for it. The publisher came up with a mock review that began with the line “Blurb: ‘Yes, this is a ‘bore’ book.'” Burgess liked the term and it soon became a popular way to describe promotional material.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a blurb is “a short publicity notice, as on a book jacket.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a short description of a book, film, or other product written for promotional purposes and appearing on the cover or dust jacket.”
Associations
Blurbs are often associated with marketing and promotion. They are used to generate interest in a work and to entice people to buy or watch it. Blurbs can also be associated with criticism, as they are often written by reviewers or critics who are trying to sum up their thoughts on a work in a few short sentences.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for blurb include description, summary, synopsis, and review. These words all refer to short pieces of writing that are used to give readers or viewers an idea of what a work is about.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for blurb, but some words that are opposite in meaning include long, detailed, and comprehensive. These words suggest a more in-depth look at a work, rather than a brief summary or description.
The same root words
There are no direct root words for blurb, but it is believed to have originated from the sound of a person making a “blurp” or “blurt” noise. These words suggest a sudden, short burst of sound, which is similar to the way a blurb is a short burst of writing.
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences that use the word blurb:
- The blurb on the back of the book made it sound like a must-read.
- The movie’s blurb promised non-stop action and adventure.
- The author wrote a blurb for the front cover of the book.
- The critic’s blurb was quoted in the movie’s advertisements.
- I read the blurb and decided to buy the book.