# blend in

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/blend-in
Updated: 2026-07-26

## Definition

to look or act like the people or things around you so that nobody notices you.

For teachers: to be similar to the surrounding environment or group, thereby becoming inconspicuous. Intransitive or used with 'with' to specify the environment.

## Examples

- He wears a plain grey suit to blend in at the office.
- The spy tried to blend in with the crowd to avoid being spotted by the guards.
- The new housing development was designed with local stone to blend in with the traditional architecture of the village.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The building blends in the trees." but "The building blends in with the trees." — when an object is mentioned, the preposition 'with' must follow the particle 'in'.

## Usage notes

- often followed by the preposition 'with' when mentioning the group or environment.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'stand out' (the direct antonym); use the image of a chameleon to anchor the meaning of physical camouflage versus social conformity.

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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.