blunt

[ bluhnt ]
See synonyms for: bluntbluntedblunterbluntly on Thesaurus.com

adjective,blunt·er, blunt·est.
  1. having an obtuse, thick, or dull edge or point; rounded; not sharp: a blunt pencil.

  2. abruptly plain and direct in address or manner, without attempting to be tactful: a blunt, ill-timed question.

  1. slow in perception or understanding; obtuse: His isolation has made him blunt about the feelings of others.

verb (used with object),blunt·ed, blunt·ing.
  1. to make blunt or dull: He blunted the knife by using it to cut linoleum.

  2. to weaken or impair the force, keenness, or susceptibility of: Wine first excites, then blunts the imagination.

verb (used without object),blunt·ed, blunt·ing.
  1. to become blunt or dull.

noun
  1. something blunt, as a small-game arrow, a short sewing needle, or a short, thick cigar.

  2. Slang. a cigar stuffed with marijuana.

Origin of blunt

1
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English; perhaps akin to blind

synonym study For blunt

1. See dull. 2. Blunt, bluff, brusque, curt characterize manners and speech. Blunt suggests lack of polish and of regard for the feelings of others: blunt and tactless. Bluff implies an unintentional roughness together with so much good-natured heartiness that others rarely take offense: a bluff sea captain. Brusque connotes sharpness and abruptness of speech or manner: a brusque denial. Curt applies especially to disconcertingly concise language: a curt reply. 3. See dull.

Other words for blunt

Other words from blunt

  • blunt·ly, adverb
  • blunt·ness, noun
  • un·blunt·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use blunt in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for blunt (1 of 2)

blunt

/ (blʌnt) /


adjective
  1. (esp of a knife or blade) lacking sharpness or keenness; dull

  2. not having a sharp edge or point: a blunt instrument

  1. (of people, manner of speaking, etc) lacking refinement or subtlety; straightforward and uncomplicated

  2. outspoken; direct and to the point: a blunt Yorkshireman

verb(tr)
  1. to make less sharp

  2. to diminish the sensitivity or perception of; make dull

noun
  1. slang a cannabis cigarette

Origin of blunt

1
C12: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse blundr dozing, blunda to close one's eyes; see blunder, blind

Derived forms of blunt

  • bluntly, adverb
  • bluntness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for Blunt (2 of 2)

Blunt

/ (blʌnt) /


noun
  1. Anthony . 1907–83, British art historian and Soviet spy

  2. Wilfred Scawen . 1840–1922, British poet, traveller, and anti-imperialist

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012