# blade

/ˈbɫeɪd/ (US) · /blˈeɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/blade
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. cutting part of a tool

noun · CEFR B1

the flat, sharp part of a knife, tool, or weapon that does the cutting.

For teachers: the sharp-edged functional component of a cutting instrument or weapon.

- The chef sharpened the blade of his knife before starting to chop the vegetables.
- The forensic team examined the serrated blade for any microscopic traces of organic material that might link it to the crime scene.

### 2. a piece of grass

noun · CEFR B1

a single, thin leaf of grass.

For teachers: the narrow, elongated leaf of a graminaceous plant.

- The morning dew sat on every single blade of grass in the garden.
- The drought had been so severe that not a single green blade remained in the once-lush meadow.

### 3. flat part of a propeller or oar

noun · CEFR B2

the wide, flat part of an object that pushes against air or water, like on a fan or a boat's oar.

For teachers: the broad, flat surface of a propeller, oar, or turbine designed to provide traction or propulsion.

- One blade of the ceiling fan was slightly bent, causing it to wobble.
- The rower dipped the blade into the water with perfect timing, ensuring maximum power for the final sprint.

### 4. shoulder bone

noun · CEFR B2

the large, flat bone in your upper back.

For teachers: the scapula; a flat, triangular bone located in the upper posterior thorax.

- He felt a sharp pain near his right shoulder blade after lifting the heavy box.
- The physical therapist noted significant tension in the muscles surrounding the patient's left shoulder blade.

### 5. ice skate edge

noun · CEFR B1

the metal part on the bottom of an ice skate.

For teachers: the runner of an ice skate, typically made of tempered steel.

- She checked her blades to make sure they were sharp enough for the competition.
- The figure skater felt the blade bite into the ice as she prepared for the triple axel.

### 6. dashing young man

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

a confident, stylish, and perhaps slightly wild young man.

For teachers: a dashing, jaunty, or rakish young man; often implies a certain social confidence or bravado.

- In the old novel, he was described as a young blade about town.
- The protagonist was a bit of a blade in his youth, spending his inheritance on fine horses and late-night revelry.

### 7. prosthetic limb

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a curved artificial leg used by runners who have lost a limb.

For teachers: a carbon-fibre prosthetic lower limb designed specifically for high-performance athletics.

- The sprinter adjusted his running blade before stepping onto the track.
- Advances in materials science have allowed for blades that mimic the energy return of a human ankle with remarkable efficiency.

### 8. to inline skate

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to move around using rollerblades.

For teachers: to travel or exercise using inline skates.

- We decided to blade along the beach path while the sun was setting.
- They spent the afternoon blading through the park, navigating the paved trails with ease.

## Examples

- The chef sharpened the blade of his knife before starting dinner.
- The lawnmower needs a new blade because the current one is too dull to cut the grass evenly.
- The archaeologist carefully brushed away the dirt to reveal a flint blade, remarkably well-preserved and still possessing a jagged, lethal edge after thousands of years underground.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.