English Reference
adjective · noun · verb · adverb

blind

adj. · n. · v. · adv.
US /ˈbɫaɪnd/ UK /blˈaɪnd/ blind UK spelling blinds

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    adj.unable to see because of injury, disease, or a condition you were born with.

    adj.physically unable to perceive visual stimuli; lacking the sense of sight.

    Simple

    The blind man used a white cane to navigate the busy street safely.

    In context

    The charity provides essential support services for blind and partially sighted individuals to help them maintain their independence.

    sightlessvisionless
  2. 02 B1 Intermediate

    adj.not noticing or choosing to ignore something that is happening.

    adj.lacking awareness, discernment, or the will to acknowledge a specific reality or truth.

    Simple

    She was blind to his faults because she loved him so much.

    In context

    The administration remained blind to the growing discontent among the staff until the sudden wave of resignations forced a policy change.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.doing something without having any information or without thinking about the risks.

    adj.characterised by a lack of prior knowledge, evidence, or critical assessment.

    Simple

    It was a blind date, so I had no idea what he looked like.

    In context

    The investors showed blind faith in the startup, pouring in millions without conducting any thorough due diligence on the technology.

    unreasoningunquestioning
  4. 04 A2 Elementary

    n.a cover for a window that you can pull down to block the light.

    n.a functional window covering, typically consisting of slats or a roll of fabric, used to regulate light and privacy.

    Simple

    I pulled down the blinds to keep the sun out of my eyes while I worked.

    In context

    The office was equipped with automated blinds that adjusted themselves according to the intensity of the afternoon sun.

  5. 05 C1 Advanced Formal

    n.something used to hide the truth or trick someone.

    n.a ruse or subterfuge designed to conceal one's true motives or actions.

    Simple

    The small shop was just a blind for their illegal gambling business.

    In context

    The diplomatic mission was merely a blind, allowing the intelligence officers to operate within the country under the guise of official business.

  6. 06 B1 Intermediate

    v.to make someone unable to see, either for a short time or forever.

    v.to deprive of sight, either permanently through injury or temporarily through intense light.

    Simple

    The bright headlights of the oncoming car blinded me for a second.

    In context

    The sudden flash of the explosion blinded the soldiers momentarily, leaving them disoriented in the darkness.

  7. 07 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adv.doing something without being able to see what you are doing.

    adv.performing an action without the aid of visual information or prior inspection.

    Simple

    The pilot had to fly blind through the thick clouds using only his instruments.

    In context

    Forced to navigate the cave system blind after his torch failed, he relied entirely on his sense of touch to find the exit.

    unseeingly
  8. 08 C1 Advanced Technical Cooking

    adv.baking a pastry shell without any filling inside it.

    adv.the process of baking a pastry case before adding a filling, often using weights to prevent rising.

    Simple

    You need to bake the pastry blind for ten minutes before adding the lemon cream.

    In context

    To ensure a crisp base for the tart, the recipe instructs the chef to bake the shortcrust pastry blind using ceramic baking beans.

    Usage

    Usually appears in the phrase 'bake blind'.

Usage blind spot · blind eye

Most raves turn a blind eye to drugs.

The New York Times· 12 Aug 2026

The blinds line the windows, and the curtains cover the blinds.

The Guardian· 20 Jul 2026

From Middle English blynd, from Old English blind, from Proto-West Germanic blind, from Proto-Germanic blindaz.

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

This entry
Origin gem-pro *blindaz
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated