blunt

blunt — adjective

1. describes a blade, pencil, or similar thing whose edge or point has worn down, s

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

describes a blade, pencil, or similar thing whose edge or point has worn down, so it no longer cuts, writes, or pokes well.

Example

After opening twenty boxes, the warehouse knife felt blunt in Noor's hand.

blunt + knife after heavy use

This red pencil is too blunt to draw the cat's whiskers.

too blunt to + verb

Common collocations
  • blunt knife
  • blunt pencil
  • blunt scissors
  • blunt needle
Synonyms
  • dull

    the closest everyday synonym; often used for knives, blades, and pain

  • worn

    broader; suggests damage or long use, not only loss of sharpness

Antonyms
  • sharp

    having a fine edge or point

Grammar Patterns

blunt + noun

too blunt to + verb

Usage Note

Usually used for tools, pencils, needles, or parts with an edge or point. Common with degree words such as too, slightly, and very when you explain why the thing does not work well.

Common Mistakes

This knife is bluntly.
This knife is blunt.
use the adjective 'blunt' after 'be'; 'bluntly' is an adverb.

2. speaking in a very direct way that can sound harsh because no effort is made to

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

speaking in a very direct way that can sound harsh because no effort is made to soften the message.

Example

Leila's blunt reply made the new waiter step back in silence.

blunt + reply

To be blunt, your plan needs more time and a smaller budget.

fixed phrase: to be blunt

Common collocations
  • blunt reply
  • blunt answer
  • blunt manner
  • blunt criticism
Synonyms
  • direct

    broader and often more neutral

  • frank

    honest and open, often with less negative feeling

  • brusque

    more formal; stresses a short, unfriendly manner

Antonyms
  • tactful

    careful not to upset people

  • diplomatic

    careful and skillful in sensitive situations

Grammar Patterns

blunt about + noun

blunt with + person

to be blunt

Usage Note

Often used for speech, replies, comments, and manner. Distinguish from 'frank', which is usually more neutral or even positive; 'blunt' often suggests that the listener may feel hurt or shocked.

Common Mistakes

She spoke blunt to me.
She was blunt with me.
after 'be blunt', English usually uses 'with' for the person and 'about' for the topic.

blunt — verb

blunt — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

For adjective/2, blunt sits in the middle between honesty and offense. Direct often sounds neutral: a direct answer is clear and efficient. Frank usually suggests open honesty, and it can even sound positive when someone tells a difficult truth kindly. Brusque is colder and shorter than blunt, often focusing on tone and lack of warmth. Rude is the strongest everyday word, because it judges the behavior as bad manners, not just strong honesty. So a blunt comment may still be useful, while a rude comment usually crosses the line. For example, 'The coach was blunt about my weak foot' can sound fair. 'The clerk was rude to the old man' clearly criticizes the behavior.

direct ↗frankbrusquerude ↗

Etymology

Middle EnglishOld NorseEnglish

Blunt is recorded in Middle English. Its exact source is uncertain, but major dictionaries connect it with Scandinavian forms, especially Old Norse blunda, meaning 'shut the eyes'. The oldest sense seems to have been closer to 'dull' or 'insensitive', and English later extended it to edges, speech, and anything whose force has been reduced.