blunt

[ bluhnt ]

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.

   Synonyms: impolite, uncivil, rude, rough, gruff, short

3. slow in perception or understanding; obtuse:

   His isolation has made him blunt about the feelings of others.

   Synonyms: dimwitted, stolid, thick

verb (used with object)

, blunt·ed, blunt·ing.

1. to make blunt or dull:

   He blunted the knife by using it to cut linoleum.

   Synonyms: hebetate, dull

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.

blunt

¹

/ 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

3. (of people, manner of speaking, etc) lacking refinement or subtlety; straightforward and uncomplicated
4. outspoken; direct and to the point

   a blunt Yorkshireman

verb

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

noun

1. slang.
   a cannabis cigarette

Blunt

²

/ blʌnt /

noun

1. BluntAnthony19071983MBritishHISTORY: historianCRIME AND POLICING: spy Anthony . 1907–83, British art historian and Soviet spy
2. BluntWilfred Scawen18401922MBritishWRITING: poetTRAVEL AND EXPLORATION: travellerPOLITICS: anti-imperialist Wilfred Scawen . 1840–1922, British poet, traveller, and anti-imperialist

Derived Forms

• ˈbluntness, noun
• ˈbluntly, adverb

Other Words From

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of blunt¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of blunt¹

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

Synonym Study

See dull. 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. See dull.

Example Sentences

Other lawmakers were more blunt.

From BBC

Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson offered the most blunt reaction.

From Salon

The 45-year-old “Office” heartthrob and “Jack Ryan” actor joked that his wife and “A Quiet Place” co-star Emily Blunt has plans to keep him humble as he joins the ranks of honorees including Patrick Dempsey, Chris Evans, Michael B. Jordan, Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise.

From Los Angeles Times

Beyond the additional house chores, Krasinski said Blunt had joked about another way to celebrate his new title: plastering the walls of their Brooklyn home with his magazine cover.

From Los Angeles Times

It seems Blunt wasn’t the only one cracking jokes about Krasinski’s coronation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• brusque
• candid
• curt
• explicit
• forthright
• matter-of-fact
• outspoken
• rude
• trenchant