noun

blindside

BLYND-syd

Blindside (noun) means the side or direction a person can't see, especially where a driver has no view of traffic or hazards. Example: “The cyclist appeared on the truck's blindside just as it turned.”

noun

The side or direction a person can't see, especially where a driver has no view of traffic or hazards.

"The cyclist appeared on the truck's blindside just as it turned."

"He was hit from his blindside and never saw it coming."

verb

To attack, criticize, or catch someone off guard from a direction they were not watching.

"The announcement blindsided the whole department."

"She was blindsided by the sudden layoff."

How to use blindside

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo catch someone completely by surprise, usually with bad news, from a direction they weren't watching.

Common pairings

blindside someone caught on the blindside blindside tackle

Word forms

blindsided past tense, blindsides plural, blindsides singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The cyclist appeared on the truck's _____ just as it turned.

Etymology

A compound of blind and side, originally describing the unseen side of a moving vehicle before it took on its figurative "catch someone off guard" sense.

Rhymes for blindside

ide tide hide ride wide side bide aide abide slide bride guide

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Frequently asked questions

What does “blindside” mean?

The word “blindside” means the side or direction a person can't see, especially where a driver has no view of traffic or hazards. In plain terms, to catch someone completely by surprise, usually with bad news, from a direction they weren't watching.

How do you pronounce “blindside”?

“Blindside” is pronounced BLYND-syd (/ˈblaɪndˌsaɪd/ in IPA).

How do you use “blindside” in a sentence?

Here is “blindside” used in a sentence: “The cyclist appeared on the truck's blindside just as it turned.”

What part of speech is “blindside”?

Depending on how it is used, “blindside” can be a noun and a verb.

How many meanings does “blindside” have?

“Blindside” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the side or direction a person can't see, especially where a driver has no view of traffic or hazards.