blithe

[blahyth, blahyth]

adjective

blither, blithest 

1. without thought or regard; carefree; heedless.

   a blithe indifference to anyone's feelings.

2. joyous, merry, or happy in disposition; glad; cheerful.

   Everyone loved her for her blithe spirit.

   Synonyms: blithesome, joyful, buoyant, lighthearted, sprightly, mirthful, happy
   Antonyms: joyless

blithe

/ blaɪð /

adjective

1. very happy or cheerful

2. heedless; casual and indifferent

Other Word Forms

• blitheful adjective
• blithefully adverb
• blithely adverb
• blitheness noun
• overblithe adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of blithe¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English blīthe; cognate with Old Norse blīthr, Old High German blīdi, Gothic bleiths

Word History and Origins

Origin of blithe¹

Old English blīthe

Example Sentences

In his few conversations with Emily, he’s often blithe, focused more on the inconveniences prison life poses or whether Maisie will remember him than on what his wife and daughter must deal with.

From Los Angeles Times

Even on death row, he retained his aura of blithe unconcern.

From Los Angeles Times

Online, video edits have proliferated of Lively’s more blithe responses to questions about her character.

From BBC

Throughout the history of American music, blues, jazz and soul singers have used the jazzy quaver for the subtlest nuances of emotion: for tension, playfulness, defiance, flirtatiousness, ache or just blithe ornamentation.

From New York Times

Former FTX customers interviewed by the BBC said they were offended by the blithe dismissal of their problems, and urged the judge to reject calls for leniency.

From BBC

Related Words

• carefree 
• jaunty 
• jovial 
• lighthearted 
• sprightly