noun

blinds

blyndz

Blinds (noun) means a window covering made of slats, or of fabric on a roller, that can be raised, lowered or angled to control light and privacy. Example: “Close the blinds — the afternoon sun is on the screen.”

noun

A window covering made of slats, or of fabric on a roller, that can be raised, lowered or angled to control light and privacy.

"Close the blinds — the afternoon sun is on the screen."

"We fitted wooden blinds in the bedroom instead of curtains."

In poker, the forced bets that two players must place before any cards are dealt, ensuring there is money in the pot.

"He was short-stacked and the blinds were about to eat him alive."

"She raised three times the big blind from late position."

A camouflaged shelter used by hunters or wildlife photographers to observe animals without being seen.

"We sat in the blind before dawn waiting for the geese."

"The reserve has two photography blinds overlooking the lake."

How to Use Blinds

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe things you pull down over a window to block the light.

When to use it

In American English 'blinds' and 'shades' are often distinguished — blinds have slats, shades are a solid sheet. British English uses 'blind' for both, and 'hide' rather than 'blind' for the wildlife shelter.

Memory tip

Blinds is almost always plural, even for a single window: 'shut the blinds'.

Easily confused with

shades → shutters curtains → drapes →

Common pairings

venetian blinds roller blinds blackout blinds close the blinds blinds and curtains

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Close the _____ — the afternoon sun is on the screen.

Synonyms

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shades shutters window coverings venetian blinds hide hunting blind

Related Words

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Rhymes for blinds

ends bonds funds bends Sands Wands Hands

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between blinds and shades?

Blinds are made of hard slats that tilt, so you can let light in without raising them. Shades are a single piece of soft material that rolls or folds, and must be lifted to let light through. British English tends to call both of them blinds.

What is the difference between blinds and curtains?

Blinds are rigid or roll-up coverings mounted inside or just above the window frame. Curtains are loose fabric panels that hang from a rail and draw sideways. Many rooms use both together.

What are the blinds in poker?

They are compulsory bets made by the two players to the dealer's left before the cards are dealt — the small blind and the big blind. They exist so there is always something worth winning in the pot.

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