Do you know the definition of blunt? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word blunt, including its definition, usage, word origin, and more!
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Kevin
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July 12, 2021
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What does the word blunt mean?
According to Collins English Dictionary of the English Language, the word blunt is an adjective that means having a thick edge or dull point. A blunt pencil or pencils will make thick marks – certainly, thicker marks than a fine, sharp point. A knife’s edge can be made blunt with too much cutting. Blunt can also be used as a verb meaning to dull or weaken, usually used with regard to power, desire or appetite. The pronunciation of blunt is ˈblʌnt, and this word is used in both UK and American English. One can add the suffix ly to form the related word bluntly (adv.)
The word blunt can also describe a person that has a very forthright approach to communication. This person is willing to share their candid opinion without much discernment. They might spew crude facts or forthright criticism, or even make a point-blank accusation in search of the blunt truth. This is similar to the other meaning of the word blunt because their communication is without precision or adornment. This person does not bother with forms of civility or evasion to disguise their true meaning; they have an abruptness of speech, are straight shooting, use concise language, and a curt reply that does not take into account or regard the feelings of others. Someone may give a blunt, brusque denial or other sorts of blunt talk.
In cannabis culture, a blunt is a hollowed out cigar or cigarillo that is filled with marijuana inside the wrapper rather than tobacco. This can be compared to joints, which are a type of marijuana cigarette. These are usually not rolled in a cigar’s tobacco leaf wrapper. One can smoke either of these. In this case, the term blunt comes from the cigars of a type called Phillies Blunt, which are often used to create blunts, according to Your Dictionary. Backwoods, Swisher Sweets, White Owl and 4ks are also frequently used. People can also buy blunt wraps to make their own blunts instead of wasting the wrap of a cigar.
Many other languages contain words that mean blunt. Below is a list of translations from Word Sense.
- Slovene: top
- French: émoussé
- Cyrillic: туп
- Belarusian: тупы (tupý)
- Ukrainian: тупий (tupýj)
- Catalan: rom
- Mongolian: мохоо
- Manx: neuvirragh
- Portuguese: cego, rombo, obtuso
- Roman: tup
- Finnish: tylppä, tylsä
- Hebrew: קֵהֶה
- Mandarin: 鈍, 钝 (dùn)
- Macedonian: тап (tap)
- Swedish: trubbig
- Latvian: truls, neass
- Romanian: tocit, neascutit
- Bashkir: үтмәҫ, тупаҫ, тупаҡ
- Burmese: တုံး (ton:)
- Polish: tępy
- Korean: 무딘
- Russian: тупо́й
- Kyrgyz: мокок (tupój)
- Armenian: բութ
- Persian: کند (kond)
- Greek: αμβλύς
- Estonian: nüri
- Hungarian: tompa
- Slovak: tupý
- Danish: sløv
- Italian: spuntato
- Japanese: 鈍い (にぶい, nibui)
- Czech: tupý (masc.)
- Latin: obtusus, retusus
- German: stumpf, abgestumpft
- Lithuanian: bukas
- Spanish: romo, obtuso
- Dutch: stomp, bot
- Georgian: ბლაგვი
- Bulgarian: тъп (tǎp), притъпен
What are synonyms and antonyms of blunt?
There are many different words and phrases that a person can use in place of the word blunt. These are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same meaning as a given word or phrase. Learning synonyms is a great way to expand your knowledge of the English language and avoid repeating yourself. This list of synonyms of blunt is provided by Thesaurus.
- bluff
- curt
- edgeless
- dull
- flat
- rounded
- insensitive
- unpolished
- unpointed
- matter-of-fact
- toothless
- snippy
- brief
- gruff
- impolite
- tactless
- trenchant
- candid
- outspoken
- short
- brusque
- square
- not keen
- unsharpened
- unceremonious
- crusty
- obtuse
- explicit
- round
- turned
- forthright
- rude
- snappy
- blunted
- dulled
- edentulate
- pointless
- frank
- discourteous
- straightforward
- abrupt
- plain-spoken
- uncivil
- edentate
There are also numerous different words that mean the opposite of the word blunt. These are called antonyms. Learning antonyms is another great way to expand your vocabulary. This list of antonyms of blunt is also provided by Thesaurus.
- pronged
- lying
- equivocating
- vigor
- fugitive
- cuspidate
- oblique
- briery
- thorny
- edged
- pointy
- ambiguous
- unblunted
- sharp-edged
- tapering
- splintery
- serrated
- honed
- fine
- needlelike
- tricky
- sly
- knife-edged
- tapered
- prevaricating
- whetted
- keen-edged
- casuistic
- keen
- tipped
- acute
- shuffling
- casuistical
- greasy
- vague
- spiny
- stonewalling
- salient
- elusory
- tined
- needle-pointed
- deceptive
- acuminous
- aciculate
- cutting
- dissembling
- sophistical
- acuate
- deceitful
- cagey
- evasive
- pointed
- slippery
- cunning
- jagged
- apical
- spiked
- acuminate
- horned
- elusive
- shifty
- sharpened
- false
- indirect
- unclear
- peaked
- spiky
- razor-sharp
- devious
- misleading
- barbed
- stinging
- cuspate
- intangible
- sharp
- ground fine
- subtlety
- prickly
What is the origin of the word blunt?
According to Etymonline, the word blunt has been used as an adjective since the year 1200. In Middle English, this was spelled as blunt or blont. This is of unknown Scandinavian origin, and is perhaps related to the Old Norse blundre, blundra or blunda meaning to shut one’s eyes, related to the word blunder. This could also be from the Old English blinnan, the past participle of blon meaning to stop or cease.
How can the word blunt be used in a sentence?
The word blunt can be used in many different sentences in the English language. Using words in a sentence is a great way to incorporate them into your vocabulary. You can also try making quizzes or flashcards for yourself to test your knowledge. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today! Below are a few examples of blunt to get you started.
He had a keenness and understanding of the woman’s blunt personality. In her life, she had had to fight tooth and nail to succeed like the mena, and she did not stand for anyone’s crap. She discussed the stark reality of the deadline in a straightforward way.
The blunt New England farmer was a turn-off to some of the farm’s visitors, which was his primary source of income.
The blunt tip of the pocket knife was far too dull to cut through the rope.
Overall, the word blunt means either not sharp and dull, or curt and straightforward. This word is of unknown Scandinavian origin.
Sources:
- Blunt Meaning | Best 30 Definitions of Blunt | Your Dictionary
- BLUNT Synonyms: 79 Synonyms & Antonyms for BLUNT | Thesaurus
- SHARP Synonyms: 479 Synonyms & Antonyms for SHARP | Thesaurus
- EVASIVE Synonyms: 37 Synonyms & Antonyms for EVASIVE | Thesaurus
- blunt | Origin and meaning of blunt | Online Etymology Dictionary
- Blunt definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary
- blunt: meaning, origin, translation | Word Sense
