blind
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for blind, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Unable to see, or having severely limited eyesight.
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 blind
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English "blind," from a Proto-Germanic root of the same meaning.
Full origin of blind →Frequently asked questions
What does “blind” mean?
The word “blind” means unable to see, or having severely limited eyesight. In plain terms, unable to see, or (figuratively) unwilling or unable to notice something; also a window covering or wildlife hideout.
How do you pronounce “blind”?
“Blind” is pronounced BLYND (/ˈblaɪ̯nd/ in IPA).
How do you use “blind” in a sentence?
Here is “blind” used in a sentence: “She has been blind since birth and reads using Braille.”
What part of speech is “blind”?
Depending on how it is used, “blind” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “blind” come from?
The word “blind” comes from Old English. From Old English "blind," from a Proto-Germanic root of the same meaning.
Is “blind” a common word?
“Blind” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “blind” have?
“Blind” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unable to see, or having severely limited eyesight.
What does it mean to be blind?
To be blind is to be unable to see, or to have severely limited eyesight. Blindness ranges from a total absence of vision to partial sight, where a person can perceive some light or shapes but not enough to see clearly. It can be present from birth or develop later through injury or illness.
What is the difference between blind and visually impaired?
Blind traditionally means a total or near-total loss of sight, while visually impaired is a broader term covering any significant reduction in vision, including partial sight. Many people use 'visually impaired' as a respectful umbrella term, reserving 'blind' for those with little or no usable vision.
What does blind mean figuratively?
Beyond the literal loss of sight, blind is often used to mean unable or unwilling to notice or understand something, as in 'blind to the risks.' It can also mean without reason or awareness, as in 'blind faith' or 'a blind guess,' where a choice is made with no information to guide it.