What does blindly mean?
Blindly is an adverb with two closely related senses: literally, it means doing something without the ability to see, as when someone gropes blindly for a light switch in a dark room. Figuratively and more commonly today, it means acting without thought, questioning, or regard for consequences — following orders, trusting a claim, or accepting an idea blindly. This figurative use typically carries a negative connotation, suggesting a failure of judgment or an abdication of personal responsibility, which is why it appears so frequently in discussions of conformity, obedience, and poor decision-making. The word derives from 'blind,' an Old English term of Germanic origin. Its dual meaning — physical sightlessness and mental uncriticalness — makes it a compact way to link the two ideas, and it remains common in both everyday speech and formal writing.
Without being able to see.
"He stumbled blindly through the smoke-filled corridor."
Literal sense; neutral connotation.
Without thought, question, or critical examination; unquestioningly.
"They accepted the proposal blindly, without reading the fine print."
Figurative sense; usually implies criticism of the person's lack of judgment.
The word 'blindly' can describe both a physical state and a moral failing — you can walk blindly into a room or blindly follow a leader, and English doesn't distinguish the two in a single word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of blindly
'Blindly' is formed from the adjective 'blind' plus the adverbial suffix '-ly.' 'Blind' comes from Old English 'blind,' of Germanic origin, shared with related forms in Old Norse and Old High German. The adverb developed naturally in Middle English and has been in continuous use since, retaining both its literal sense (without sight) and its extended figurative sense (without judgment).
Related word forms
How blindly is actually used
'Blindly' often carries a mildly negative connotation when used figuratively, implying a lack of judgment or independent thought. The literal sense (moving without sight) is neutral. Both senses are standard in formal and informal registers.
Easily confused with blindly
Blankly means with a blank, expressionless face or empty mind (from 'blank'), whereas blindly means without seeing or without questioning — the similar spelling is coincidental.