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Blunt

/blʌnt/

adjectiveverbB1

Definition

As an adjective, blunt describes something that is not sharp or pointed, like a dull knife or pencil. It can also describe a way of speaking that is very direct and honest, often in a way that might seem rude or hurtful. As a verb, blunt means to make something less sharp or less strong.

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See It in Action

Not sharp physically

  • •The knife was blunt and couldn’t cut the bread.
  • •Be careful with that blunt pencil; it doesn’t write well.
  • •The scissors are blunt; they need sharpening.

Direct and honest in speech, sometimes rude

  • •She was blunt about her opinion and didn’t try to be polite.
  • •His blunt comment hurt her feelings.
  • •Sometimes being blunt is better than lying.

To make something less sharp or strong (verb)

  • •The constant use blunted the knife’s edge.
  • •Time blunted his anger.
  • •The rain blunted the colors of the painting.

Make It Stick

  • ✓Think of "blunt" like "dull" (A1 word), but "blunt" can also describe words that are not soft or gentle
  • ✓Picture a knife that cannot cut well because its edge is flat and not sharp
  • ✓It's the feeling when someone tells you the truth very directly, without softening their words
  • ✓Sounds like "blunt" → imagine a blunt pencil that can't write fine lines, or a blunt voice that speaks plainly
  • ✓Think of a friend who says "You made a mistake" without trying to be polite—that's blunt talking
  • ✓NOT like "sharp" (pointed or clever)—blunt is the opposite, either physically or in speech
  • ✓NOT like "polite" (careful with words)—blunt speakers do not hide their thoughts or feelings
  • ✓NOT like "cut" (to make sharp)—blunt means less sharp or less strong

Try Other Words

  • •Direct: honest and straightforward (Use when talking about speech that is clear but not necessarily rude)
  • •Dull: not sharp (Use when describing physical objects that cannot cut well)
  • •Honest: telling the truth (Use when blunt speech is more about truth than rudeness)
  • •Round off: to make less sharp (Use as a verb when talking about physically making edges less sharp)

Unboxing

  • •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix; "blunt" is a simple root word)
  • •Etymology: From Old French "blont" or "blund," meaning dull or thick
  • •Historical development: Used in English since the 14th century to describe something not sharp; later also used to describe direct speech
  • •Modern usage: Commonly used both for physical objects (knives, pencils) and for describing speech style (direct, sometimes rude)

Reflect & Connect

•How can being blunt in speech help or hurt relationships?
•Can something be blunt in a positive way? When might that happen?

Fill in the blanks

1.The knife was blunt because it had been used ___ many times without sharpening.
2.When she spoke bluntly, she did not try to ___ her true feelings.
3.Unlike a sharp blade, a blunt one ___ cut well.
4.To avoid hurting his feelings, he tried not to be too ___ in his criticism.
5.The constant rain blunted the colors, making the painting look ___.
6.Blunt words often ___ strong emotions in the listener.
7.When you blunt a pencil, you make its point ___ and less useful.