blinding

American  

[blahyn-ding] / ˈblaɪn dɪŋ /

noun

1. a layer of sand or fine gravel for filling the gaps in the surfaces of a road or pavement, as one of crushed and compacted stone.

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blinding British  

/ ˈblaɪndɪŋ /

noun

1. sand or grit spread over a road surface to fill up cracks

2. the process of laying blinding

3. Also called: mattress.  a layer of concrete made with little cement spread over soft ground to seal it so that reinforcement can be laid on it

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adjective

1. making one blind or as if blind

   blinding snow

2. most noticeable; brilliant or dazzling

   a blinding display of skill

Other Word Forms

• blindingly adverb
• nonblinding adjective
• nonblindingly adverb
• unblinding adjective

Etymology

Origin of blinding

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; blind, -ing ¹

Explanation

If something is blinding, it's so bright that it makes you lose your vision temporarily. The blinding light of a camera flash can be very annoying. The bright or dazzling light of fireworks, a flashlight, or even light glinting off of a mirror or a diamond necklace can all be blinding, rendering you briefly unable to see. Anything you can't see through can be described this way, like blinding rain or the blinding white of a blizzard, and even pain is sometimes blinding. The word shares an Old English root with blind, blendan, "to deprive of sight."

Example Sentences

This exciting nutrition system may include fun things like nearly blinding your boss with direct sunlight at an open-air business lunch, or shoveling food in your face from 5:10 to 5:11 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

He flicked on his high beams only to watch them bounce back as a blinding wall of light.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

For now, Microsoft and its software peers aren’t companies; they’re narratives of tech’s next generational disruption, all happening at blinding speed.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

In nutrition studies, full blinding is often difficult because people usually know what they are eating.

From Science Daily • Feb. 25, 2026

It was already late, after eleven, and sunlight streamed through his bedroom window, half blinding him as he quickly threw on an old pair of sweatpants.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

Related Words

• blatant
• blazing
• garish
• shining