adj B1 Intermediate Common

bald

bawld

Bald (adj) means having little or no hair on the head. Example: “He started going bald in his late twenties.”

adj

Having little or no hair on the head.

"He started going bald in his late twenties."

"The barber offered to shave his head completely bald."

Plain and direct, without any softening detail.

"She gave a bald statement of the facts, with no excuses."

Of a tyre, worn smooth so the tread is gone.

"The car failed its inspection because of two bald tyres."

How to use bald

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLacking hair on the head, or (of a statement) stripped of detail and delivered plainly.

Common pairings

going bald bald statement bald tyre bald patch

Word forms

balder comparative, balded past tense, balds plural, Balds plural, balds singular, baldest superlative

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He started going _____ in his late twenties.

Etymology

From Middle English balled, of uncertain origin — likely related to an old word for "ball" or "round object," describing a smooth, hairless head.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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hairless bare blunt stark threadbare

Related words

money open total frank empty exposed pointed sharp

Frequently asked questions

What does “bald” mean?

The word “bald” means having little or no hair on the head. In plain terms, lacking hair on the head, or (of a statement) stripped of detail and delivered plainly.

How do you pronounce “bald”?

“Bald” is pronounced bawld (/bɔːld/ in IPA).

How do you use “bald” in a sentence?

Here is “bald” used in a sentence: “He started going bald in his late twenties.”

What part of speech is “bald”?

“Bald” is an adjective.

Where does the word “bald” come from?

The word “bald” comes from Middle English. From Middle English balled, of uncertain origin — likely related to an old word for "ball" or "round object," describing a smooth, hairless head.

Is “bald” a common word?

“Bald” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “bald” have?

“Bald” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having little or no hair on the head.

What is the difference between bald and balding?

Bald describes someone who has little or no hair on the head already, while balding describes someone who is in the process of losing their hair. Balding is the gradual, ongoing state, whereas bald refers to the resulting condition.

What does it mean to make a bald statement?

A bald statement is one that is plain and direct, delivered without any softening detail or diplomatic phrasing. This figurative use of bald extends the idea of 'bare' or 'stripped down' from hair to language.

Why is a worn-out tyre described as bald?

A tyre is called bald when it has been worn smooth and its tread has disappeared, leaving a surface as featureless as a hairless head. This usage is a direct visual comparison to baldness on a person.

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