blanket
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for blanket, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A large piece of soft, thick fabric used for warmth, typically on a bed or wrapped around the body.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use blanket
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French blanchet, a diminutive of blanc ("white"), originally naming a white woollen cloth.
Full origin of blanket →Frequently asked questions
What does “blanket” mean?
The word “blanket” means a large piece of soft, thick fabric used for warmth, typically on a bed or wrapped around the body. In plain terms, a warm covering for a bed, or figuratively any covering layer — and, as an adjective, something that applies to everything without exception.
How do you pronounce “blanket”?
“Blanket” is pronounced BLANG-kiht (/ˈblæŋ.kɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “blanket” in a sentence?
Here is “blanket” used in a sentence: “She pulled the blanket up to her chin and fell asleep.”
What part of speech is “blanket”?
Depending on how it is used, “blanket” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “blanket” come from?
The word “blanket” comes from Old French. From Old French blanchet, a diminutive of blanc ("white"), originally naming a white woollen cloth.
Is “blanket” a common word?
“Blanket” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “blanket” have?
“Blanket” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large piece of soft, thick fabric used for warmth, typically on a bed or wrapped around the body.
What is a blanket statement?
A blanket statement is a claim applied generally to every case, with no allowance for exceptions — 'nobody reads anymore,' for example. The phrase uses blanket's adjective sense, 'applying to all cases without exceptions,' and it is usually critical, implying the claim is an overgeneralization. Blanket ban, blanket rule, and blanket approval work the same way.
What is the difference between a blanket and a quilt?
A blanket is a single large piece of soft, thick fabric used for warmth on a bed or wrapped around the body. A quilt is made of two layers of fabric with padding stitched between them, the stitching typically forming a decorative pattern. A comforter is similar to a quilt but plainer and usually thicker.
Can blanket be used as a verb?
Yes — to blanket something is to cover it completely, as if with a blanket: 'snow blanketed the town,' 'fog blanketed the coast.' The verb is especially common in weather description. Related is the set phrase 'blanket coverage,' meaning reporting that covers an event completely.