What does blind mean?
"Blind" is primarily an adjective meaning unable to see, whether through complete sightlessness or significant visual impairment, but it extends far beyond the literal into rich figurative territory. To be blind to something is to fail to perceive or acknowledge it; blind faith, blind ambition, and blind obedience all describe actions taken without reflection or critical judgment. The word also functions as a verb — to blind someone literally deprives them of sight, while figuratively it suggests overwhelming or dazzling — and as a noun, covering everything from window blinds to hunting screens. Derived forms include blindness, blindly, blindingly, blindfold, and blindsided, each extending its reach into everyday speech. Common collocations such as "blind spot," "turn a blind eye," and "blind date" show how deeply embedded it is in idiomatic English. Traced back to Old English "blind," cognate with German "blind" and related to "blend," the word carries connotations ranging from genuine disability — best described today with sensitivity — to willful ignorance, making it both practically useful and culturally loaded.
Unable to see; having severely impaired vision.
"The guide dog helped her navigate the busy street safely."
Often extended figuratively to mean lacking awareness or judgment.
To deprive of sight; figuratively, to dazzle or overwhelm someone's judgment.
"The bright headlights momentarily blinded the driver."
A window covering made of slats or fabric that can be raised or lowered; also a screen or hiding place used by hunters or observers.
"She pulled down the blinds to block the afternoon sun."
Plural "blinds" typically refers to window shades in American English.
Without seeing or without full understanding; blindly.
"He drove blind through the fog until he reached the next town."
This adverbial use is relatively rare; "blindly" is the standard derived adverb.
Applies only when "blind" is used as a noun, most commonly meaning window coverings; "the blind" is an older collective term for blind people as a group.
"We installed new wooden blinds throughout the house."
"Blind" once meant simply "dark or dim" — the sense of total sightlessness came later, and its Old English root is shared with the word "blend," because both involve a blurring of vision.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of blind
"Blind" descends from Old English "blind," which originally carried the broader sense of "dark, obscure, or dim" before narrowing toward sightlessness. It shares a Proto-Germanic root with German "blind," Dutch "blind," and Swedish "blind," all pointing to a prehistoric Germanic adjective whose original meaning involved blurring or obscuring vision — a sense preserved in its relative "blend." The word has remained remarkably stable in form and core meaning across more than a thousand years of English.
Related word forms
How blind is actually used
When referring to people with vision loss, many prefer terms like "blind person" or "visually impaired," and some style guides now favor capitalizing "Blind" in identity-first usage. The figurative senses are common in both formal and informal English. As an adjective it can precede nouns (a blind corner) or follow linking verbs (went blind). The plural noun "blinds" refers specifically to window coverings.
Easily confused with blind
"Blinked" is the past tense of blink (to shut the eyes briefly), whereas "blind" means unable to see.