English Reference
adjective · verb · noun

bald

adj. · v. · n.
US /ˈbɔɫd/ UK /bˈɔːld/ bald UK spelling balded, balding, balds

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    adj.having little or no hair on the head.

    adj.lacking hair on the scalp, either naturally or by shaving.

    Simple

    He decided to shave his head completely once he started going bald.

    In context

    The actor, famously bald for most of his career, occasionally wore a wig when a specific historical role demanded a full head of hair.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.used to describe a car tyre that has lost its grip because it is worn down.

    adj.describing a pneumatic tyre whose tread has been worn away through use.

    Simple

    The mechanic told me I needed new tyres because the old ones were bald.

    In context

    Driving on bald tyres in heavy rain is exceptionally dangerous, as the lack of tread prevents the rubber from clearing water effectively.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Formal

    adj.simple and direct, without extra details or attempts to be polite.

    adj.unembellished, blunt, or lacking supporting detail; often used of statements or facts.

    Simple

    The report was a bald statement of the facts with no explanation.

    In context

    The witness provided a bald account of the incident, refusing to offer any personal interpretation or emotional context to the jury.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to start losing the hair on your head.

    v.to undergo the process of becoming hairless on the scalp.

    Simple

    He noticed he was balding when he looked at photos from a few years ago.

    In context

    Many men find that they begin balding in their late twenties, often starting with a receding hairline or a thinning crown.

    Usage

    The verb is intransitive and often used in the continuous form.

  5. 05 C2 Proficiency American EnglishDialect

    n.a mountain top that has no trees, even though the weather is warm enough for them.

    n.a mountain summit or crest that lacks forest growth despite a climate conducive to it.

    Simple

    We hiked up to the bald to see the view of the valley below.

    In context

    The Southern Appalachians are famous for these grassy balds, which offer panoramic views that are otherwise obscured by dense forest canopy.

He is bald and has a grey beard.

Toronto Sun· 30 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated