English Reference

Word

blade

US/ˈbɫeɪd/

UK/blˈeɪd/

Definitions

01cutting part of a tool

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

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

n. 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.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

02a piece of grass

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Botany

n. a single, thin leaf of grass.

n. 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.”

Synonyms

03flat part of a propeller or oar

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

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

n. 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.”

Synonyms

vanepaddle

04shoulder bone

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Medicine

n. the large, flat bone in your upper back.

n. 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.”

Synonyms

scapula

05ice skate edge

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Sports

n. the metal part on the bottom of an ice skate.

n. 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.”

Synonyms

06dashing young man

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Archaic · Literary

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

n. 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.”

Synonyms

07prosthetic limb

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Medicine Informal

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

n. 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.”

Synonyms

08to inline skate

B2 · Upper Intermediate Sports Informal

v. to move around using rollerblades.

v. 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.”

Synonyms

skaterollerblade

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “blade” in context.

Verb

01. dull the blade

“Cutting through heavy cardboard will quickly dull the blade of your craft knife.”

verb + noun

02. sheathe a blade

“The warrior decided to sheathe his blade as a gesture of peace during the negotiations.”

verb + noun

03. wield a blade

“It takes years of disciplined practice to wield a blade with such fluid grace and speed.”

verb + noun

Adjective

04. razor-sharp blade

“The chef maintained a razor-sharp blade to ensure the fish was sliced with absolute precision.”

adj + noun

05. serrated blade

“A serrated blade is far more effective for cutting through crusty bread without crushing it.”

adj + noun

Noun

06. blade of grass

“The morning dew clung to every single blade of grass in the meadow.”

noun + of + noun

07. propeller blade

“The engineer inspected each propeller blade for signs of stress fractures or corrosion.”

noun + noun

08. shoulder blade

“He felt a sharp, stabbing pain just below his left shoulder blade after the workout.”

noun + noun

Real-World Examples

“He was threatened with a Stanley blade.” She had been alarmed at being summoned to court.”
The Guardian 15 Aug 2026
“The approach could enable tougher turbine blades and higher-performance engines.”
ScienceDaily 31 Jul 2026

Etymology

From Middle English blade, blad, from Old English blæd (“leaf”), from Proto-West Germanic blad, from Proto-Germanic bladą, from Proto-Indo-European bʰl̥h₃-o-to-m, from bʰleh₃- (“to thrive, bloom”). See also West Frisian bled, Dutch blad, German Blatt, Danish blad, Irish bláth (“flower”), Welsh blodyn (“flower”), Tocharian A pält, Tocharian B pilta (“leaf”), Albanian fletë (“leaf”). Similar usage in German Sägeblatt (“saw blade”, literally “saw leaf”). Doublet of blat. More at blow.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

NOUN

blade(C1)

ADJECTIVE

Related words

The word in film

Blade · 1998 · Sci-Fi

Directed by:
Stephen Norrington
Starring:
Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Udo Kier

Wesley Snipes stars in this action-packed Marvel movie as a half-vampire warrior who hunts the undead. The title highlights his mastery of swords and sharp weapons during his dangerous missions.

Domains

ArchaeologyArchitectureBiologyBotanyComputingMathematicsMusicPhotography

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
Frequency
Common
Level
C1 · AdvancedOxford
Updated

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