blonde
blonde
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "blonde" is /blɒnd/.
blond: /blɒnd/ - /b/ (voiced bilabial plosive) + /l/ (voiced lateral approximant) + /ɒ/ (open-mid back rounded vowel) + /n/ (voiced alveolar nasal) + /d/ (voiced alveolar plosive)
Word Form Variations
Singular (adjective/noun): blonde (feminine), blond (masculine)
Plural (adjective/noun): blondes (feminine), blonds (masculine)
Note: While "blond" was historically the masculine form and "blonde" the feminine, in modern English, "blonde" is often used as the default for both genders, particularly as a noun. "Blond" is still common as an adjective for both.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: Describing hair that is of a pale yellowish or golden-brown color.
Synonyms: fair-haired, flaxen, golden, light-colored
Antonyms: dark-haired, brunette, raven, black-haired
Definition 2: (Often of a person) having hair of this color.
Synonyms: fair, light, pale
Antonyms: dark, swarthy, dusky
Noun
Definition 1: A person, typically a woman, with blonde hair.
Synonyms: fair-haired person, fair-head
Antonyms: brunette, dark-haired person
Examples of Use
Books:
"Her eyes were the colour of the sea on a stormy day, a striking contrast to her almost white blonde hair." (From a contemporary romance novel, exact title unavailable, but common descriptive usage)
"The detective noted the suspect's description: tall, slender, with distinctive long blonde braids." (From a crime fiction novel, exact title unavailable)
Newspapers:
"A woman with blonde hair was seen fleeing the scene of the accident." (Local newspaper report)
"The celebrity unveiled a dramatic new look, trading her signature dark locks for a vibrant platinum blonde." (Entertainment section, The New York Times)
Online Publications:
"How to achieve the perfect ash blonde at home: A step-by-step guide." (Beauty blog, Allure.com)
"Study suggests that 'dumb blonde' stereotypes still persist in some professional settings." (Psychology Today)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"The lead singer, a striking blonde with a powerful voice, commanded the stage." (Concert review on a music blog)
"In the classic film, the femme fatale is often portrayed as a mysterious blonde." (Film critique on YouTube, July 2023)
"I'm going for a blonde look this summer," a contestant remarked on a reality TV show. (Reality TV show, exact show unavailable, but common dialogue)
A character in a video game might have the option to customize their avatar with "light blonde hair." (Video game character customization option, common across many RPGs)
General Public Discourse:
"My sister just dyed her hair blonde." (Everyday conversation among friends, ongoing)
"Do you think that shade of blonde would suit me?" (Shopping conversation at a hair salon, ongoing)
"He prefers blondes." (Casual remark about a person's preference, ongoing)
10 Quotes Using Blonde
"It was a blonde. A blonde to make a bishop kick a hole in a stained-glass window." (Raymond Chandler, Farewell, My Lovely)
"It's great to be a blonde. With low expectations it's very easy to surprise people." (Pamela Anderson)
"If I have only one life . . . let me live it as a blonde." (Shirley Polykoff)
"I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb... and I also know that I'm not blonde." (Dolly Parton)
"It takes a smart brunette to play a dumb blonde." (Marilyn Monroe)
"I like to feel blonde all over." (Marilyn Monroe)
"Going blonde is like buying yourself a light bulb!" (Heidi Klum)
"There's nobody in the world like me. I think every decade has an iconic blonde, like Marilyn Monroe or Princess Diana and, right now, I'm that icon." (Paris Hilton)
"She was what we used to call a suicide blonde - dyed by her own hand." (Saul Bellow)
"God is a gentleman. He prefers blondes." (Joe Orton)
Etymology
The word "blonde" (and its masculine form "blond") has a fascinating journey through languages.
It first appeared in English around 1481. It came to us from Old French, where the words were "blund" or "blont." The original meaning in Old French was "a color midway between golden and light chestnut." Think of it as a light, yellowish-brown shade.
Before "blonde" arrived, English speakers used the word "fair" to describe light-colored hair. But "blonde" gradually took over, and "fair" eventually broadened its meaning to describe a general light complexion.
While the exact oldest root is a bit debated, many believe the French word came from a Germanic language, possibly Frankish, with a meaning like "mixed color" or "blinding." Some also connect it to a Medieval Latin word "blundus," meaning "yellow."
What's interesting is that "blonde" is one of the few words in English that still often keeps its French gendered spelling: "blond" for masculine and "blonde" for feminine. So, a man might be called a "blond," and a woman a "blonde." Although, in modern English, "blonde" is frequently used for both genders, especially when talking about the hair color itself.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Blonde
Blonde moment: A temporary lapse in concentration or display of foolishness, often attributed (stereotypically) to a blonde person.
Dumb blonde: A derogatory stereotype of a woman with blonde hair who is perceived as unintelligent.
Platinum blonde: A very light, almost white shade of blonde hair.
Strawberry blonde: A reddish-blonde hair color.
Ash blonde: A cool-toned blonde hair color with greyish undertones.
Bottle blonde: Someone whose blonde hair color is artificial or dyed.
Go blonde: To dye one's hair blonde.
Blonde ambition: A phrase often associated with Madonna, implying a determined and often ruthless drive to succeed.
Fair-haired boy/girl: (Using a synonym for "blonde" - "fair") A favored person; someone who is given preferential treatment.
Blonde bombshell: An attractive woman with blonde hair, often with a glamorous or curvaceous appearance.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of blonde from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
