The spelling of "blond" has caused confusion for many English speakers as it can be spelled two ways: "blond" and "blonde". The distinction between the two lies in gender. "Blond" is used for males and gender-neutral situations, while "blonde" is used for females. Both spellings are pronounced the same way: /blɒnd/. The final "e" in "blonde" is silent and serves only to indicate the gender of the person being described. Overall, it's important to pay attention to context when using this word in order to ensure the correct spelling.
Blond is an adjective that describes a light shade of hair color, typically ranging from pale yellow to golden or light brown. It is commonly used to refer to hair color but can also be applied to describe the appearance of objects or subjects that possess a similar light hue. The term is derived from the Old French word "blont" and the Latin word "blondus," both meaning "light-colored" or "yellow."
In regards to hair color, blond is often associated with individuals of European descent, although it can occur naturally in people of various ethnic backgrounds. It is characterized by a high level of the pigment eumelanin, which results in less brown or black pigmentation. Blond hair is considered a recessive genetic trait, and it can darken over time due to factors such as aging, exposure to the sun, or hormonal changes.
Beyond hair, the term blond can be employed figuratively to describe objects such as wood or fabric that possess a light, golden hue. It can also be used metaphorically to portray someone as bright or pleasant in temperament, particularly when applied to their personality or appearance. Moreover, the term can be used interchangeably with "blonde," which is the noun form when referring specifically to females with this hair color.
Fair; having a fair complexion.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* 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.
The word "blond" comes from the Old French word "blund", which originally meant "fair-haired" or "light-colored". The Old French term likely derived from the Medieval Latin word "blundus" or "blondus", meaning "yellow" or "light-colored". The ultimate origin of the word is uncertain, but it is believed to have roots in the Old Frankish word "blund", meaning "mixed" or "shining". Over time, "blond" came to refer specifically to a light shade of hair color, usually ranging from pale yellow to golden or light brown.