bald

Bald describes a person as having no or little hair on their head. Bald also means to lose one’s hair and describes something as being out in the open or not hidden. Bald has several other senses as an adjective and one as a noun.

A bald person lacks hair on their head. There are multiple reasons why a person might be bald. For many bald men, becoming bald is the result of a genetic condition known as male pattern baldness, which causes their hair to thin and fall out as they age. A person may be bald because they shave their head or because of chemotherapy, which often causes hair loss all over the body. While animals who don’t have fur or hair could be called bald, hairless is more commonly used.

• Real-life examples: Some examples of famous bald men include basketball player Michael Jordan, singer Sinead O’Connor, and the 14th Dalai Lama.
• Used in a sentence: Chang had hair in his 30s but was completely bald by the time he turned 40.

In this same sense, bald is used as a verb to mean to become bald. The phrase “go bald” is also commonly used.

• Used in a sentence: Phillip began to bald early in life so he decided to start shaving his head.

Bald is also used to describe something that is out in the open and acknowledged. A bald insult, for example, is one that you don’t try to hide. You say it boldly and unapologetically.

• Used in a sentence: Fanny said a bald lie when asked why she didn’t go to work.

The first records of bald come from around 1250. It comes from the Middle English ballede, which means “having a white spot.”

What are some other forms related to bald?

• baldish (adjective)
• baldly (adverb)
• baldness (noun)
• half-bald (adjective)
• semibald (adjective)
• semibaldly (adverb)
• semibaldness (noun)

What are some synonyms for bald?

• hairless
• naked
• blunt
• straightforward

What are some words that share a root or word element with bald? 

• balding
• baldness
• baldheaded
• bald spot
• bald eagle
• baldy

What are some words that often get used in discussing bald?

• hair
• head
• wig
• toupee
• mountain
• lie

What are some words bald may be commonly confused with?

• balled
• bawled

Bald is a common word used to describe a person as having no hair on their head.

Every time I see a small old bald man smiling I wonder if it's me from the future

— SAMMY WIN WIN (@samvirwin) November 9, 2020

I laugh when business folks talk down to me because I'm seen as just a boxing coach.

Perhaps the bald head and beard hide my degree in Economics and Finance, and how I once started a business from scratch that brought in over 7 figures.

Don't judge a book by its cover.

— Ross Enamait (@rosstraining) November 5, 2018

In 2012 please kill the phrases "let me just start by saying" & "I hate to tell you but". The former is redundant, the latter is a bald lie.

— Sheila Callaghan (@sheilacalla) December 28, 2011

True or False?

If a person is bald, it means they have little or no facial hair.