# bland

/ˈbɫænd/ (US) · /blˈænd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bland
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. food/flavor

adjective · CEFR B1

having very little taste or flavor; not spicy or exciting to eat.

For teachers: lacking strong features or characteristics and therefore uninteresting; specifically applied to food that is unseasoned or mild.

- The soup was a bit bland, so I added some salt and pepper.
- Patients on the recovery ward are often restricted to a bland diet to avoid irritating the digestive system during the initial healing phase.

### 2. boring or dull

adjective · CEFR B2

boring and not having any strong or interesting qualities.

For teachers: lacking in vigor, excitement, or distinctive character; dull and unstimulating.

- The office building had a bland design that looked like every other block.
- Critics dismissed the sequel as a bland imitation of the original, noting its failure to capture the vibrant energy of the first film.

### 3. personality/manner

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

showing no strong emotions or interesting personality traits.

For teachers: showing no strong emotion; pleasantly gentle but lacking in character or interest.

- He gave a bland smile and refused to answer any of the difficult questions.
- The diplomat maintained a bland expression throughout the interrogation, revealing nothing of his true feelings regarding the proposed treaty.

## Examples

- The soup was bland and needed more salt.
- The hotel room was clean but bland, with no personal touches or interesting decor.
- Critics dismissed the film as a bland, formulaic entry in a franchise that had long since lost its original spark and creative ambition.

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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.