bald
bald
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "bald" is: /bɔːld/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
bɔːld
b: voiced bilabial stop
ɔː: open-mid back rounded vowel (long)
l: alveolar lateral approximant
d: voiced alveolar stop
Word Form Variations
The word "bald" doesn't have plural or singular forms, as it describes a state or condition.
However, there are related word forms:
baldness: This is the noun form, referring to the condition of being bald.
balding: This is the present participle form, used to describe the process of becoming bald.
baldly: This is the adverb form, meaning "in a bald manner," often used to describe a blunt or direct way of speaking.
These are the primary word form variations associated with "bald."
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA.
Register Now.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA. Register Now.
Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun
Definition: A person who has lost most or all of their hair on their head.
Synonyms: hairless, bareheaded
Antonyms: hairy, hirsute
Adjective
Definition: Having no hair, especially on the head.
Synonyms: hairless, bare, naked
Antonyms: hairy, hirsute
Definition: Plain, blunt, or direct, often to the point of rudeness.
Synonyms: blunt, frank, outspoken
Antonyms: tactful, diplomatic, indirect
Examples of Use
1. Literature:
"He was a bald, powerful-looking man with a thick neck and a stubby, blunt nose." (George Orwell, 1984) - This describes a character's physical appearance.
"The trees stood bald against the winter sky." (Often used in descriptive passages of nature writing) - This uses "bald" metaphorically to describe a lack of foliage.
2. Newspapers and Online Publications:
"Study links stress to bald patches." (Science/Health sections of newspapers, e.g., articles on alopecia) - This is a common phrase in health reporting.
"The bald eagle population continues to recover." (Environmental news) - Refers to a specific species of bird.
"The financial report showed a bald decline in profits." (Business news) - Uses "bald" to mean "clear" or "undisguised."
3. Entertainment (Film and Television):
Characters whose baldness is a defining trait:
Lex Luthor (Superman franchise)
Walter White (Breaking Bad)
Many characters are played by actors such as Patrick Stewart, who is well known for his bald head.
Dialogues that include the word in a descriptive or sometimes derogatory way.
4. Music:
References to baldness in song lyrics, often used metaphorically or humorously. While songs that are purely about baldness are rare, it does come up in general description.
5. Online Discourse and Social Media:
Discussions about hair loss and baldness in online forums and support groups.
Humorous memes and jokes related to baldness.
Discussions about the social and cultural perceptions of baldness.
Discussions related to "Bald-face lies" which is a common phrase used to describe a very obvious lie.
6. General Public Discourse:
Casual conversations describing someone's physical appearance.
Medical discussions about alopecia and other hair loss conditions.
Discussions about the acceptance and styling of baldness.
"Bald facts" are often referenced in general conversation, meaning the basic, undisguised truth.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA.
Register Now.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA. Register Now.
10 Famous Quotes Using the term Bald
"There is one thing about baldness: it’s neat." – Don Herold
"The advantage of being bald—no bad hair days." – (Original quote)
"A bald head is a clean slate, a shining beacon of wisdom." – (Original quote)
"Baldness is the gradual transformation from thinking your hair is thinning to realizing it’s just gone." – (Original quote)
"When you’re bald, you never have to worry about a haircut again—freedom at its finest." – (Original quote)
"I’m not bald; I’m just taller than my hair." – (Original quote)
"A bald spot is like a solar panel for a brain full of wisdom." – (Original quote)
"They say a bald man carries experience on his head rather than hair." – (Original quote)
"Some are born bald, some achieve baldness, and some have baldness thrust upon them." – (Paraphrased from Shakespeare)
"The best thing about being bald? You save a fortune on shampoo." – (Original quote)
Etymology
The word "bald" has been around for a long time, going back to the Middle English period (around the 12th to 15th centuries). It comes from an even older word, "ballede," which meant "having a white spot."
Over time, the meaning of "bald" narrowed down to specifically mean "having little or no hair on the head." The first known use of "bald" in this sense was around the year 1602.
So, the next time you see someone with a bald head, you can think about how the word has evolved over centuries, from meaning a simple white spot to describing a specific hairless condition.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA.
Register Now.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA. Register Now.
Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Bald
Here are some common phrases and idioms using "bald" or related to the concept of baldness:
Bald-faced lie: A blatant or obvious lie.
Bald truth: A plain, unvarnished truth.
Bald eagle: A national symbol of the United States, known for its distinctive appearance.
While "bald" itself isn't used in many other common idioms, we can explore some idioms that convey similar meanings:
Lay it on the line: To be blunt and direct.
Call a spade a spade: To speak frankly and honestly.
Pull no punches: To be direct and critical.
These idioms, while not directly using "bald," convey the idea of directness and honesty, which is a common association with the word.
Posts Related to Bald
Source Information
Definition of bald from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
