What does blase mean?
Blase describes someone who has become unimpressed, bored, or emotionally dulled by repeated exposure to excitement, luxury, or novelty. Borrowed from French, where it was originally the past participle of a verb meaning to satiate or wear out, it entered English in the nineteenth century to capture a distinctly modern condition: the person who has experienced so much that nothing thrills them anymore. A blase traveler yawns at famous landmarks; a blase critic greets even remarkable performances with a shrug. The word typically carries a mildly disapproving connotation, suggesting not just experience but a certain jadedness or affectation — an air of sophistication that may shade into cynicism or ennui. It remains a useful shorthand in cultural commentary, journalism, and everyday conversation for describing the emotional fatigue that comes from too much of a good thing.
adjectiveUnimpressed, bored, or lacking enthusiasm as a result of frequent exposure to pleasure or excitement.
- Bored or unimpressed through overexposure to pleasure, luxury, or excitement.
- Showing a casual, unconcerned, or world-weary indifference toward things others find impressive.
"After years of attending award shows, she had become utterly blase about celebrity glamour."
"The veteran journalist was blase about the chaos of the press conference."
"He gave a blase shrug when told he had won the lottery."
English borrowed 'blase' straight from the French word for having literally worn out your capacity to feel excitement — a word invented for people who have seen too much.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of blase
Blase entered English from French in the mid-nineteenth century, where it was the past participle of the verb blaser, meaning to satiate or dull through excess. Its deeper origins are uncertain, though it has been linked to Middle Dutch terms related to burning or blistering. It retains its French spelling with an acute accent and belongs to the family of Gallicisms English absorbed alongside words like cliche and soiree.
How blase is actually used
Always used attributively or predicatively after a form of 'be' or similar verb ('he is blase'), never before a noun in standard usage. It carries a mildly negative connotation, implying world-weariness or affectation. The acute accent on the final 'e' reflects its French origin and is retained in English, though some writers drop it.