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View synonyms for bald

bald

[ bawld ]

adjective

  1. having little or no hair on the scalp:

    a bald head;

    a bald person.

  2. destitute of some natural growth or covering:

    a bald mountain.

  3. lacking detail; bare; plain; unadorned:

    a bald prose style.

  4. open; undisguised:

    a bald lie.

    Synonyms: flat-out, downright, out-and-out, utter, patent, flagrant, barefaced, bare

  5. Zoology. having white on the head:

    the bald eagle.

  6. Automotive. (of a tire) having the tread completely worn away.


verb (used without object)

  1. to become bald.

noun

  1. (often initial capital letter) Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. a treeless mountaintop or area near the top: often used as part of a proper name.

bald

/ bɔːld /

adjective

  1. having no hair or fur, esp (of a man) having no hair on all or most of the scalp
  2. lacking natural growth or covering
  3. plain or blunt

    a bald statement

  4. bare or simple; unadorned
  5. Alsobaldfaced (of certain birds and other animals) having white markings on the head and face
  6. (of a tyre) having a worn tread
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˈbaldly, adverb
  • ˈbaldish, adjective
  • ˈbaldness, noun
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Other Words From

  • baldish adjective
  • baldly adverb
  • baldness noun
  • half-bald adjective
  • semi·bald adjective
  • semi·baldly adverb
  • semi·baldness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of bald1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English ball(e)d, equivalent to ball “white spot” (compare Welsh bal, Greek phaliós “having a white spot”) + -ed -ed 3
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Word History and Origins

Origin of bald1

C14 ballede (literally: having a white spot); related to Danish bǣldet , Greek phalaros having a white spot
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Example Sentences

It came from a part of the abdomen that slides under a neighboring, bald piece.

Like Scott’s first husband, Jewett is bald and has a booming voice.

From Time

Mysterious deaths of bald eagles, mallards and other lake life in the southeastern United States have puzzled scientists for more than 20 years.

Natalie Mamerow noticed her first bald spot two weeks after receiving 19 stitches.

From Ozy

For sweeping panoramas, hike to the top of its numerous bald peaks.

“You can cut my hair, you can bald me, you can strip me naked and take away my dignity,” she said.

He was a large man, totally bald, with the rough hands of a peasant.

And sitting down is a bald man who looks like Hank from Breaking Bad.

Director Dan Reed, a tall, bald-headed Brit, landed in Nairobi soon after the attack.

Omran, who was 17 at the time, was completely bald, weak, and as frail as a burnt match.

Though the amount played for is serious, a good deal of rather bald conversation and chaff goes on.

But he forgot the stagnant town, the bald-headed man at the club window, the organ and "The Manola."

As observation widens and grows finer, the first bald representation becomes fuller and more life-like.

She wondered if he would take his youth in his bald-headed season, like the self-made American millionaire.

The future Emperor saw at a glance that this small, stout, bald-headed young man had qualities which few others possessed.

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Related Words

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More About Bald

What is a basic definition of 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.

Where does bald come from?

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

Did you know ... ?

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?

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

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

What are some words bald may be commonly confused with?

How is bald used in real life?

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

Try using bald!

True or False?

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

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