How Do You Spell BALD?

Pronunciation: [bˈɔːld] (IPA)

The word "bald" is spelled with four letters, but its pronunciation can be tricky for non-native English speakers. The IPA phonetic transcription for "bald" is /bɔːld/, which means that the "a" sound is pronounced like that in "law" or "daunt." Additionally, the "l" sound is usually silent, making this word two syllables instead of the expected one. Correct spelling and pronunciation of words like "bald" are essential to accurately communicate in English.

BALD Meaning and Definition

  1. Bald is an adjective that is commonly used to describe someone who does not have hair on their head, or lacks a substantial amount of hair. It typically refers to a condition where the hair follicles on the scalp have ceased to produce hair. When a person is bald, their scalp is usually smooth, visibly showing no hair growth or very minimal hair that may be shorter, thinner, or lighter in color. Baldness can occur naturally as part of the aging process or can be an outcome of medical conditions, such as alopecia or certain diseases, hormonal imbalances, or side effects of medical treatments like chemotherapy.

    Beyond its use to describe hair loss on the head, "bald" can also be employed metaphorically to depict other objects or surfaces that lack their usual covering or adornment. For instance, a tree may be referred to as bald during winter when it has shed all its leaves. Similarly, a landscape may be described as bald if it has minimal vegetation. In these contexts, baldness suggests a visible absence or scarcity of expected features, often giving an impression of simplicity or starkness.

    The term "bald" also finds use in common idiomatic expressions, such as "bald-faced lie" or "bald truth." These idioms imply a directness, lack of embellishment, or unvarnished truthfulness, suggesting a sense of clarity or nakedness in communication or presentation.

  2. Without hair over a greater or lesser portion of the scalp.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. Wanting hair; destitute of natural covering; naked; inelegant; in bot, without beard or awn; having a white mark on the face.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for BALD *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for BALD

Etymology of BALD

The word "bald" originates from the Old English word "beald" or "bæld", which meant "having white hair or a white spot" rather than referring to a lack of hair. Over time, its meaning shifted to describe a person with little or no hair on their head. The Germanic root of "bald" is believed to be "balþaz", which means "white" or "shining". Thus, the etymology of "bald" reflects the historical association between hair color and baldness.

Idioms with the word BALD

  • be as bald as a coot The idiom "be as bald as a coot" means to be completely, or almost completely, bald. It is often used to describe someone who has little to no hair on their head.
  • as bald as a coot The idiom "as bald as a coot" is used to describe someone who is completely bald or has a very noticeable lack of hair on their head. It implies that the person's head is as smooth and bald as that of a coot, which is a bird known for its bald or featherless patch on its head.
  • bald as a coot The idiom "bald as a coot" is used to describe someone who is completely bald or has a very minimal amount of hair. It derives from the appearance of the coot bird, which has a distinctive white featherless patch on its forehead and top of the head, giving the impression of baldness. Therefore, the phrase is often used humorously to describe someone who lacks hair on their head.
  • bald-faced lie The idiom "bald-faced lie" refers to a blatant, shameless, or audacious falsehood. It is used to describe a lie that is unashamedly and boldly told, without any attempt to conceal or disguise it. A bald-faced lie is often seen as brazen and without regard for truth or honesty.
  • bald-headed hermit The idiom "bald-headed hermit" typically refers to someone who is completely bald on their head, often implying that they are solitary or reclusive in nature. It suggests that the person has chosen a lifestyle or behavior that isolates them from others, similar to a hermit. The idiom can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is distant, unapproachable, or emotionally unavailable.
  • bald-faced liar The idiom "bald-faced liar" refers to a person who tells deliberate and obvious lies without any attempt to conceal or hide the falsehood. It emphasizes the blatant and shameless nature of the lies being told by the individual.
  • bald-headed mouse

Similar spelling words for BALD

Plural form of BALD is BALDS

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