Blunt

UK: /ˈblʌnt/ US: /blʌnt/ ,(blunt)

Inflections of 'blunt' (adj):

blunter

adj comparative

bluntest

adj superlative

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Blunt / blʌnt/ noun

1. Anthony. 1907–83, British art historian and Soviet spy
2. Wilfred Scawen. 1840–1922, British poet, traveller, and anti-imperialist

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

blunt /blʌnt/   adj., -er, -est, v. 
adj. 

1. having a thick or dull edge or point:
   a blunt pencil.
2. abrupt in manner, without politeness:
   asked blunt questions about my finances.

v. 

3. to (cause to) become blunt;
   dull: [~ + object]
   You'll blunt the scissors on that cardboard.
   [no object]
   The scissors will blunt on that cardboard.
4. to weaken the strength of:
   [~ + object] Wine can blunt the senses.

blunt•ly, adv.: 

To put it bluntly, you're simply no good.

blunt•ness, n. 

[uncountable] I found his bluntness and directness refreshing.

Synonyms

blunt, brusque, and curt describe people's manners and speech. blunt suggests too much frankness and a lack of consideration or regard for the feelings of others: blunt and tactless remarks. brusque suggests a sharpness and abruptness that are almost rude: a brusque denial; a brusque word or two. curt applies esp. to short, quick language that takes us by surprise because we are expecting more: a curt reply.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

blunt  (blunt), adj., -er, -est, v., n. 
adj. 

1. having an obtuse, thick, or dull edge or point;
   rounded;
   not sharp:
   a blunt pencil.
2. abrupt in address or manner:
   a blunt, ill-timed question.
3. slow in perception or understanding;
   obtuse:
   His isolation has made him blunt about the feelings of others.

v.t. 

4. to make blunt;
   hebetate:
   He blunted the knife by using it to cut linoleum.
5. to weaken or impair the force, keenness, or susceptibility of:
   Wine first excites, then blunts the imagination.

v.i. 

6. to become blunt.

n. 

7. something blunt, as a small-game arrow, a short sewing needle, or a short, thick cigar.
8. Slang Terms a cigar stuffed with marijuana.

• 1150–1200; Middle English; perh. akin to blind

blunt′ly, adv. 
blunt′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. See dull. 
• 2. short, gruff, rough, rude, uncivil, impolite.
  Blunt, bluff, brusque, curt characterize manners and speech.
  Blunt suggests lack of polish and of regard for the feelings of others:
  blunt and tactless.
  Bluff implies an unintentional roughness together with so much good-natured heartiness that others rarely take offense:
  a bluff sea captain.
  Brusque connotes sharpness and abruptness of speech or manner:
  a brusque denial.
  Curt applies esp. to disconcertingly concise language:
  a curt reply.
• 3. dimwitted, thick, stolid.
• 4. dull.

blunt, +n. 

1. Slang Terms a cigar stuffed with marijuana.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

blunt / blʌnt/ adjective

1. (esp of a knife or blade) lacking sharpness or keenness; dull
2. not having a sharp edge or point: a blunt instrument
3. (of people, manner of speaking, etc) lacking refinement or subtlety; straightforward and uncomplicated

verb (transitive)

1. to make less sharp
2. to diminish the sensitivity or perception of; make dull

Etymology: 12th Century: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse blundr dozing, blunda to close one's eyes; see blunder, blind

ˈbluntly adverb

ˈbluntness noun