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REFERENCE

blind

adj. · n. · v. · adv.
US //ˈbɫaɪnd// UK //blˈaɪnd// blind
  1. 1 unable to see (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The charity provides essential support services for blind and partially sighted individuals to help them maintain their independence.
    • sightless
    • visionless
  2. 2 unaware or ignoring (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    not noticing or choosing to ignore something that is happening.

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The administration remained blind to the growing discontent among the staff until the sudden wave of resignations forced a policy change.
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  1. 3 without evidence or logic (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The investors showed blind faith in the startup, pouring in millions without conducting any thorough due diligence on the technology.
    • unreasoning
    • unquestioning
  2. 4 window covering (n.)
    A2 Elementary

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The office was equipped with automated blinds that adjusted themselves according to the intensity of the afternoon sun.
  3. 5 a deception (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    something used to hide the truth or trick someone.

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The diplomatic mission was merely a blind, allowing the intelligence officers to operate within the country under the guise of official business.
  4. 6 to make unable to see (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The sudden flash of the explosion blinded the soldiers momentarily, leaving them disoriented in the darkness.
  5. 7 without looking (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    Forced to navigate the cave system blind after his torch failed, he relied entirely on his sense of touch to find the exit.
    • unseeingly
  6. 8 baking a crust (adv.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Cooking

    baking a pastry shell without any filling inside it.

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

    Example

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

    Example

    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'.

Origin

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

Word family
Idioms6 entries

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