Word
blight
Phoneticsblight
US/ˈbɫaɪt/
UK/blˈaɪt/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. something that spoils or damages a place or situation, making it look or feel much worse. It is often used to describe ugly buildings in a city or a disease that kills plants.
n. a deleterious influence or condition that causes decay, stagnation, or ruin. Often refers metaphorically to urban decay or literally to botanical diseases that cause rapid tissue death.
Examples
“The abandoned factory is a blight on the neighborhood.”
“Local residents complained that the graffiti and broken windows were a blight on the historic district.”
“The potato blight of the 1840s decimated crops across Ireland, leading to a catastrophic famine and permanent shifts in the country's demographic landscape.”
Examples
simple
“The abandoned factory is a blight on the neighborhood.”
contextual
“Local residents complained that the graffiti and broken windows were a blight on the historic district.”
complex
“The potato blight of the 1840s decimated crops across Ireland, leading to a catastrophic famine and permanent shifts in the country's demographic landscape.”
Usage
Typically used in the singular when referring to a specific eyesore or social problem ('a blight on').
Real-World Examples
“Too many shops are blighting too many communities.” Word family
VERB
NOUN
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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