Bland: meaning, definitions and examples

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bland

[blænd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

taste

lacking strong features or characteristics and therefore uninteresting

Synonyms

flavorless, insipid, tasteless, unseasoned.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
bland	Appropriate for describing food, drinks, or even situations that lack strong flavor, excitement, or variety. Often used with a neutral or mildly negative connotation. The soup was bland and needed more spices The movie was bland and uninteresting
tasteless	Describes food or drinks that are devoid of taste, but can also refer to something done in poor taste or without good judgment, making it versatile but often negative. This rice is tasteless without any sauce The comedian's joke was tasteless and offended many people
insipid	Can describe food, drinks, or experiences that are not stimulating or interesting, often with a stronger negative connotation than 'bland'. The insipid tea tasted like hot water The lecture was insipid and failed to capture anyone's attention
flavorless	Specifically used for food and drinks to indicate a complete lack of flavor, usually with a negative connotation. The diet shake was flavorless and hard to drink This tofu is completely flavorless without any seasoning
unseasoned	Primarily used for food to indicate that no spices or seasoning have been added, leading to a lack of flavor. It is generally a neutral term but can be negative in culinary contexts. The chicken was unseasoned and bland She prefers her food to be unseasoned due to dietary restrictions

Examples of usage

The soup was bland and tasteless.
She found the food rather bland.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

personality

showing no strong emotions; dull and uninteresting

Synonyms

emotionless, expressionless, unemotional, unimpressive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
bland	Use 'bland' when describing something lacking strong features, characteristics, or flavors. It is often used for food or personalities that are uninteresting. The soup was bland and needed more seasoning. His presentation was bland and did not captivate the audience.
expressionless	Use 'expressionless' to describe a face that shows no emotion or feeling. It is often used when referring to someone's facial expressions, or lack thereof. Her face was expressionless as she delivered the news. The actor's expressionless performance failed to convey any emotion.
emotionless	Use 'emotionless' to describe someone who shows no feelings or emotional responses. It can be used in both negative and neutral contexts. He remained emotionless during the entire conversation. Despite the tragedy, she appeared emotionless.
unemotional	Use 'unemotional' when describing someone who does not show emotions or is not easily affected by feelings. It can suggest a deliberate or habitual lack of emotion. She took an unemotional approach to the problem. His response was unemotional, as if he didn't care.
unimpressive	Use 'unimpressive' when describing something or someone that fails to impress or stand out. It suggests mediocrity or inadequacy. The team's performance was unimpressive and lacked energy. His speech was unimpressive and did not inspire confidence.

Examples of usage

He had a bland expression on his face.
Her bland personality made it hard to connect with her.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'blandus', which means mild or gentle.
In the 14th century, it was used in English to describe a soft and soothing nature.
Over time, its meaning shifted to refer to dullness in both flavor and personality.

Culinary Usage

In cooking, bland describes foods that are not seasoned well, like plain rice or boiled potatoes.
While considered unappealing by some, bland foods are often recommended for those with sensitive stomachs or recovering from illness.
Dietary choices sometimes include bland options to avoid strong flavors that might induce discomfort.

Cultural References

Pop culture often uses 'bland' to describe characters or personalities that are overly simplistic or lacking depth.
Movies and shows sometimes highlight a contrast between bland and colorful characters to emphasize diversity in storytelling.
Some music genres are described as bland when they lack innovation or distinctiveness, leading to a preference for more dynamic sounds.

Psychology

Bland environments can lead to decreased creativity and motivation as they lack sensory stimulation.
Studies show that individuals may prefer exciting experiences if they find their daily life too bland or predictable.
Personality traits linked to being 'bland' often include being agreeable, but these individuals can also struggle with decision-making or self-expression.

Literature

In literature, bland characters may serve to highlight the traits of more dynamic characters, creating a contrast in narratives.
Several authors use bland settings to evoke feelings of monotony or despair in their work, enhancing the thematic message.
The term is often employed in critiques of writing to describe works lacking in depth or imaginative flair.

Translations

Translations of the word "bland" in other languages:

🇵🇹 insosso

🇮🇳 नीरस

🇩🇪 fade

🇮🇩 hambar

🇺🇦 прісний

🇵🇱 mdły

🇯🇵 味気ない (ajikenai)

🇫🇷 fade

🇪🇸 insípido

🇹🇷 tatsız

🇰🇷 무미건조한 (mumigeonjohan)

🇸🇦 بلا طعم (bila taam)

🇨🇿 nevýrazný

🇸🇰 nevýrazný

🇨🇳 无味 (wúwèi)

🇸🇮 pust

🇮🇸 bragðlaus

🇰🇿 дәмсіз

🇬🇪 მოწყენილი

🇦🇿 daşınmaz

🇲🇽 insípido

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,094, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
16091 mildew
16092 inactivity
16093 threshing
16094 bland
16095 omen
16096 bubbling
16097 symbolically
...