blandness
Blandness refers to the quality of being uninteresting, dull, or lacking in strong features and characteristics. In a culinary context, it describes food that lacks flavor or seasoning, while in a general context, it describes things that are mediocre or devoid of personality.
Examples
3 of 5The blandness of the soup made me reach for the salt and pepper immediately.
The lack of flavor in the soup made me want to add seasoning right away.
Critics often complain about the blandness of modern corporate architecture.
Reviewers frequently express dislike for the uninteresting design of modern office buildings.
I couldn't finish the movie because of the sheer blandness of the main character.
I stopped watching the film because the protagonist was extremely boring and lacked personality.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'blah'. If something is 'blah', it is full of 'blandness'.
Quick Quiz
The designer was criticized for the __________ of the new logo, which many found forgettable.
Correct!
The correct answer is: blandness
Examples
The blandness of the soup made me reach for the salt and pepper immediately.
everydayThe lack of flavor in the soup made me want to add seasoning right away.
Critics often complain about the blandness of modern corporate architecture.
formalReviewers frequently express dislike for the uninteresting design of modern office buildings.
I couldn't finish the movie because of the sheer blandness of the main character.
informalI stopped watching the film because the protagonist was extremely boring and lacked personality.
The study explores the intentional blandness of diplomatic language used in international treaties.
academicThe research examines why the language in global agreements is purposely kept neutral and unexciting.
We need to avoid any blandness in our marketing campaign if we want to stand out from the competition.
businessWe must ensure our advertising is not dull so that we can be more noticeable than other companies.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
clinical blandness
a cold or sterile lack of personality
safe blandness
being intentionally uninteresting to avoid offending anyone
surprising blandness
an unexpected lack of flavor or excitement
Often Confused With
Blindness is the inability to see, whereas blandness is a lack of flavor or excitement.
Bluntness refers to directness in speech or a dull edge, while blandness refers to a lack of character or spice.
Usage Notes
Use 'blandness' when you want to emphasize the negative aspect of something being too neutral or unexciting. It is commonly used to describe food, art, personalities, or environments that fail to make an impression.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use the adjective 'bland' where the noun 'blandness' is required, such as saying 'I was surprised by the bland of the food' instead of 'the blandness of the food'.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'blah'. If something is 'blah', it is full of 'blandness'.
Word Origin
From the Latin word 'blandus', meaning 'smooth, mild, or flattering'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many Western cultures, 'blandness' in food is generally criticized, though a 'bland diet' is a specific medical term for easily digestible, non-irritating foods.
Quick Quiz
The designer was criticized for the __________ of the new logo, which many found forgettable.
Correct!
The correct answer is: blandness
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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