blindfold

American  

[blahynd-fohld] / ˈblaɪndˌfoʊld /

verb (used with object)

1. to prevent or occlude sight by covering (the eyes) with a cloth, bandage, or the like; cover the eyes of.

2. to impair the awareness or clear thinking of.

   Don't let their hospitality blindfold you to the true purpose of their invitation.

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noun

1. a cloth or bandage put before the eyes to prevent seeing.

adjective

1. with the eyes covered.

   a blindfold test.

2. rash; unthinking.

   a blindfold denunciation before knowing the facts.

blindfold British  

/ ˈblaɪndˌfəʊld /

verb

1. to prevent (a person or animal) from seeing by covering (the eyes)

2. to prevent from perceiving or understanding

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noun

1. a piece of cloth, bandage, etc, used to cover the eyes

2. any interference to sight

adjective

1. having the eyes covered with a cloth or bandage

2. chess not seeing the board and pieces

3. rash; inconsiderate

Other Word Forms

• unblindfolded adjective

Etymology

Origin of blindfold

1520–30; alteration, by association with fold ¹, of blindfell to cover the eyes, strike blind, Middle English blindfellen; blind, fell ²

Example Sentences

The host handed me a blindfold and Bose noise-canceling headphones, playing the hypnotic sounds of a space drum with birds chirping in the distance.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

One woman I interviewed remembered that while she was blindfolded, she was able to peek under her blindfold and see a tile pattern on the floor.

From Slate • Feb. 17, 2026

I opted to swap the blindfold for a blanket covering my TV, which was better, but I cracked the code by the end of this episode.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2025

Mr Harrison, who undertook a blindfold walk with the London Sight Loss Council, pledged that council staff would visit look into the issue.

From BBC • Aug. 24, 2023

Clumsily, I fumble along the side of my head to find the edge of the blindfold.

From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth

Related Words

• curtain
• screen