blithe
Describes a way of behaving that shows a casual and cheerful lack of concern, often in a way that is considered callous or improper. It can also refer to a happy, carefree, and lighthearted disposition in a literary context.
Examples
3 of 5He continued his vacation with a blithe disregard for the mounting bills waiting at home.
He continued his vacation with a carefree disregard for the growing bills waiting at home.
The report criticizes the ministry's blithe indifference to the environmental impact of the new highway.
The report criticizes the ministry's cheerful indifference to the environmental impact of the new highway.
She's always so blithe about her exams, even when she hasn't studied at all.
She's always so casual about her exams, even when she hasn't studied at all.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'light.' To be blithe is to be light-hearted or to make 'light' of a serious situation.
Quick Quiz
Despite the storm warnings, the hikers showed a ______ disregard for their own safety.
Correct!
The correct answer is: blithe
Examples
He continued his vacation with a blithe disregard for the mounting bills waiting at home.
everydayHe continued his vacation with a carefree disregard for the growing bills waiting at home.
The report criticizes the ministry's blithe indifference to the environmental impact of the new highway.
formalThe report criticizes the ministry's cheerful indifference to the environmental impact of the new highway.
She's always so blithe about her exams, even when she hasn't studied at all.
informalShe's always so casual about her exams, even when she hasn't studied at all.
Critics argue that the philosopher’s blithe optimism fails to account for the inherent tragedies of human existence.
academicCritics argue that the philosopher’s casual optimism fails to account for the inherent tragedies of human existence.
The CEO's blithe response to the data breach further infuriated the company's stakeholders.
businessThe CEO's nonchalant response to the data breach further infuriated the company's stakeholders.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
blithe spirit
A person who is carefree and lighthearted (often referencing the play by Noël Coward).
to be blithely unaware
To be happily or casually ignorant of something important.
with a blithe air
Acting in a casual, carefree manner.
Often Confused With
Bliss is a noun referring to perfect happiness; blithe is an adjective describing a casual or carefree manner.
Blight refers to a disease or something that spoils/destroys; blithe is a positive or nonchalant mood.
Usage Notes
In modern usage, 'blithe' often has a negative nuance, suggesting that someone is being cheerful or carefree when they really should be worried or serious. In older literature, it is more purely positive, meaning happy or joyful.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'blithe' as a direct synonym for 'happy,' but it lacks the depth of emotion found in 'happy' and instead focuses on the lack of worry or concern.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'light.' To be blithe is to be light-hearted or to make 'light' of a serious situation.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old English word 'blīthe,' which meant joyful, kind, or well-disposed.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The phrase 'Blithe Spirit' is widely known in English-speaking cultures due to the famous 1941 comic play by Noël Coward.
Quick Quiz
Despite the storm warnings, the hikers showed a ______ disregard for their own safety.
Correct!
The correct answer is: blithe
Related Vocabulary
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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