adjective
Common
blunt
bluhnt
Blunt (adjective) means not sharp; having a thick edge or point. Example: “Be careful with that blunt axe, because it might bounce off the wood.”
adjective
1
Not sharp; having a thick edge or point.
"Be careful with that blunt axe, because it might bounce off the wood."
"The children were given blunt scissors so they could not hurt themselves."
"The knife was too blunt to cut the bread."
2
Direct and plain-spoken, sometimes to the point of rudeness.
"My blunt sister told me the cake tasted far too sweet."
"He is quite blunt, so do not ask unless you want the truth."
"She gave a blunt assessment of what had gone wrong."
noun
1
Slang for a cigar hollowed out and refilled with marijuana.
"They passed a blunt around at the party."
verb
1
To make something less sharp or effective.
"Heavy curtains can blunt the sound of traffic outside the bedroom window."
"Years of practice did not blunt her enthusiasm for the game."
"The medication helped blunt the worst of the pain."
How to use blunt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot sharp — physically, or in speech (meaning direct and to the point).
Common mistake
Being "blunt" in speech means honest and direct, not necessarily rude, though it can come across that way.
Common pairings
blunt instrument
blunt honesty
to be blunt
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Word forms
- Plural
- blunts
- Third person singular
- blunts
- Past tense
- blunted
- Comparative
- blunter
- Superlative
- bluntest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Be careful with that _____ axe, because it might bounce off the wood.
Etymology
From Middle English blunt, of uncertain origin, possibly related to Old Norse blunda ("to doze").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for blunt
See all rhymes for blunt →Frequently asked questions
What does “blunt” mean?
The word “blunt” means not sharp; having a thick edge or point. In plain terms, not sharp — physically, or in speech (meaning direct and to the point).
How do you pronounce “blunt”?
“Blunt” is pronounced bluhnt (/blʌnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “blunt” in a sentence?
Here is “blunt” used in a sentence: “The knife was too blunt to cut the bread.”
What is another word for “blunt”?
Words with a similar meaning to “blunt” include blunten.
What part of speech is “blunt”?
Depending on how it is used, “blunt” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “blunt” come from?
The word “blunt” comes from Middle English. From Middle English blunt, of uncertain origin, possibly related to Old Norse blunda ("to doze").
Is “blunt” a common word?
“Blunt” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “blunt” have?
“Blunt” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not sharp; having a thick edge or point.
What is the difference between "blunt" and "dull"?
Both can describe an edge or point that is not sharp. "Blunt" often suggests a thick or rounded edge, while "dull" emphasizes a loss of the sharpness something once had. Of the two, only "blunt" also commonly describes a person who is direct and plain-spoken.
What is the difference between being "blunt" and being "rude"?
Being blunt means speaking in a direct, plain way without softening the message, which is not always meant to hurt. Being rude means being deliberately impolite or disrespectful. Bluntness can come across as rude, but it is often intended simply as honesty.
Is calling someone "blunt" an insult or a compliment?
It depends on context. "Blunt" describes someone who is direct and plain-spoken, which can be praised as honest and clear, or criticized as tactless when it tips into rudeness. Tone and situation decide how it is taken.
What is the opposite of "blunt"?
For the "not sharp" meaning, the opposite is "sharp" or "pointed." For the "plain-spoken" meaning, opposites include "tactful," "diplomatic," and "subtle."
