BLUNTNESS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does bluntness mean? 

• BLUNTNESS (noun)
  The noun BLUNTNESS has 2 senses:

1. the quality of being direct and outspoken

2. without sharpness or clearness of edge or point

  Familiarity information: BLUNTNESS used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BLUNTNESS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The quality of being direct and outspoken

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Context example:

the bluntness of a Yorkshireman

Hypernyms ("bluntness" is a kind of...):

inconsiderateness; inconsideration; thoughtlessness (the quality of failing to be considerate of others)

Derivation:

blunt (characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Without sharpness or clearness of edge or point

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

bluntness; dullness

Context example:

the dullness of the pencil made his writing illegible

Hypernyms ("bluntness" is a kind of...):

configuration; conformation; contour; form; shape (any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "bluntness"):

obtuseness (the quality of lacking a sharp edge or point)

Derivation:

blunt (used of a knife or other blade; not sharp)

blunt (having a broad or rounded end)

 Context examples 

Not from you, it doesn't sound natural, and I like your old bluntness better.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

There is an openness, a quickness, almost a bluntness in Mr. Weston, which every body likes in him, because there is so much good-humour with it—but that would not do to be copied.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)