bland

¹

[bland]

adjective

blander, blandest 

1. pleasantly gentle or agreeable.

   a bland, affable manner.

   Synonyms: urbane, suave, amiable, mild, affable
   Antonyms: boorish, cruel

2. soothing or balmy, as air.

   a bland southern breeze.

   Synonyms: mild, soft
   Antonyms: harsh

3. nonirritating, as food or medicines.

   a bland diet.

   Synonyms: mild, soft
   Antonyms: irritating

4. not highly flavored; mild; tasteless.

   a bland sauce.

5. lacking in special interest, liveliness, individuality, etc.; insipid; dull.

   a bland young man; a bland situation comedy.

6. unemotional, indifferent, or casual.

   his bland acknowledgment of guilt.

Bland

²

[bland]

noun

1. James A(llen), 1854–1911, U.S. songwriter and minstrel performer.

bland

/ blænd /

adjective

1. devoid of any distinctive or stimulating characteristics; uninteresting; dull

   bland food

2. gentle and agreeable; suave

3. (of the weather) mild and soothing

4. unemotional or unmoved

   a bland account of atrocities

Other Word Forms

• blandly adverb
• blandness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bland¹

First recorded in 1590–1600, bland is from the Latin word blandus of a smooth tongue, pleasant, soothing

Word History and Origins

Origin of bland¹

C15: from Latin blandus flattering

Example Sentences

It feels as if my diet has gone from bountiful to bland, my prospects from mysterious to mundane.

From Los Angeles Times

"The conveyancing lawyer may have just asked the bland question 'do you own any other properties?' And she says 'no'".

From BBC

Her first order of business, however, is pitting the scowling Ritter and bland, industrious Wittmers, who had managed a bearable distance so far, against each other.

From Los Angeles Times

“We were all trying to create some kind of new subculture or protest against the bland music of the day,” said Kid in a Zoom call before the show.

From Los Angeles Times

But isn't there a danger that following this formula will result in bland, catch-all slogans?

From BBC

Related Words

• banal 
• boring 
• dull 
• insipid 
• tame 
• tedious 
• watery 
• white-bread 
• wishy-washy