The term 'bland' can describe anything that lacks strong characteristics, flavor, or excitement. While originally used to describe smooth or gentle personalities, it is now more commonly used in reference to food and drink that lacks taste, as well as experiences or people that are seen as dull or unremarkable. In culinary terms, bland food can be a result of not using enough seasoning or flavoring, or it could refer to a simple or light dish, depending on cultural perspective. While often viewed negatively, blandness can be desirable in certain contexts, such as when catering to sensitive tastes or in dishes meant to soothe or calm the stomach.
No exact match translations found for 'bland' in sanskrit.
Word 'bland' in Other Languages
- bland in Assamese অসমীয়া
- bland in Bengali বাংলা
- bland in Bodo बड़ो
- bland in Dogri डोगरी
- bland in English
- bland in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
- bland in Hindi हिन्दी
- bland in Kannada ಕನ್ನಡ
- bland in Kashmiri कॉशुर
- bland in Konkani कोंकणी
- bland in Maithili মৈথিলী
- bland in Malayalam മലയാളം
- bland in Manipuri মৈতৈলোন্
- bland in Marathi मराठी
- bland in Nepali नेपाली
- bland in Oriya ଓଡ଼ିଆ
- bland in Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
- bland in Sanskrit संस्कृतम्
- bland in Santali
- bland in Sindhi سنڌي
- bland in Tamil தமிழ்
- bland in Telugu తెలుగు
- bland in Urdu اُردُو
Bland
Part of Speech
Adjective
Pronunciation
/blænd/
Definitions
- Lacking strong features or characteristics and therefore uninteresting.
- (Of food or drink) lacking strong flavor.
- Gentle or soothing in manner, not harsh or stimulating.
Usage Examples
- "The soup was a little too bland for my taste."
- "His speech was so bland that it put everyone to sleep."
- "The bland weather made for a quiet and uneventful day."
Etymology
The word 'bland' comes from the Latin word 'blandus,' meaning 'smooth' or 'flattering.' It first appeared in English in the 16th century, originally describing something smooth and gentle, especially in reference to a calm demeanor. Over time, the meaning expanded to encompass a lack of strong characteristics or flavor.
Synonyms
- Unremarkable
- Insipid
- Flat
- Unexciting
- Monotonous
Antonyms
- Exciting
- Flavorful
- Vibrant
- Spicy
- Dynamic
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| French | Insipide | /ɛ̃.si.pid/ |
| Spanish | Insípido | /inˈsipiðo/ |
| German | Fad | /fat/ |
| Italian | Insipido | /inˈsìpido/ |
| Portuguese | Insípido | /ĩˈsípido/ |
| Hindi | निष्क्रिय | /niʂkɾɪj/ |
| Tamil | சாதாரண | /sādhāraṇa/ |
| Bengali | নিস্তেজ | /nistoʤ/ |
| Telugu | సాధారణ | /sādhāraṇa/ |
| Marathi | निःसंदेश | /nihsandeś/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- British English: /blænd/
- American English: /blænd/
Historical Usage
The word 'bland' was used in early English to describe smooth or gentle qualities, especially in reference to the nature or character of a person or situation. Its use expanded in the 17th century to describe things lacking strong features, especially in reference to food and experiences. Over time, the term has become commonly associated with food and drink that lacks distinctive taste or flavor.
Cultural Nuances
In some cultures, the concept of 'bland' food is associated with diets that are healthy but lack strong flavors, often seen in Asian cuisine where foods are delicately spiced. In contrast, in Western cultures, 'bland' is often used to criticize food that seems unexciting or overly plain. The idea of blandness extends beyond food, sometimes referring to people or events that are perceived as dull, uninspiring, or lacking in originality.