blend

1 of 2

verb

ˈblend 

blended also blent ˈblent  ; blending

transitive verb

1

: mix

especially : to combine or associate so that the separate constituents or the line of demarcation cannot be distinguished

2

: to prepare by thoroughly intermingling different varieties or grades

intransitive verb

1

a

: to mingle intimately or unobtrusively

b

: to combine into an integrated whole

2

: to produce a harmonious effect

blendable

ˈblen-də-bəl 

adjective

blend

2 of 2

noun

1

: something produced by blending: such as

a

: a product prepared by blending

b

: a word (such as brunch) produced by combining other words or parts of words

2

: a group of two or more consecutive consonants that begin a syllable

Synonyms

Verb

• amalgamate
• combine
• comingle
• commingle
• commix
• composite
• concrete
• conflate
• fuse
• homogenize
• immingle
• immix
• incorporate
• integrate
• interfuse
• intermingle
• intermix
• meld
• merge
• mingle
• mix

Noun

• admixture
• alloy
• amalgam
• amalgamation
• cocktail
• combination
• composite
• compound
• conflation
• emulsion
• fusion
• intermixture
• meld
• mix
• mixture
• synthesis

Choose the Right Synonym for blend

mix, mingle, commingle, blend, merge, coalesce, amalgamate, fuse mean to combine into a more or less uniform whole.

mix may or may not imply loss of each element's identity.

mix the salad greens

mix a drink

mingle usually suggests that the elements are still somewhat distinguishable or separately active.

fear mingled with anticipation in my mind

commingle implies a closer or more thorough mingling.

a sense of duty commingled with a fierce pride drove her

blend implies that the elements as such disappear in the resulting mixture.

blended several teas to create a balanced flavor

merge suggests a combining in which one or more elements are lost in the whole.

in his mind reality and fantasy merged

coalesce implies an affinity in the merging elements and usually a resulting organic unity.

telling details that coalesce into a striking portrait

amalgamate implies the forming of a close union without complete loss of individual identities.

refugees who were readily amalgamated into the community

fuse stresses oneness and indissolubility of the resulting product.

a building in which modernism and classicism are fused

Examples of blend in a Sentence

Verb

The music blends traditional and modern melodies.

She blends psychology and crime in her new novel.

Noun

a blend of cream and eggs

a blend of traditional and modern melodies

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Travelers to this central European country of Slovenia can now discover several new hotels and stunning renovations that blend seamlessly with rich cultural traditions. —Roger Sands, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024

Pour gravy into pan and simmer a couple of minutes, stirring often, to blend the flavors. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 21 Dec. 2024

Noun

With its lightweight blend of green tea and lime extracts, Authentic Beauty Concept's Best of Beauty-winning Amplify Mousse is ideal for zhushing up finer curl patterns and ensuring your look holds all day. —Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 22 Dec. 2024

For me, trying snacks is a blend of finding inspiration for my company, and also treasure hunting for those small moments of indulgences throughout the week. —Lia Picard, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English blenden, blinden "to mix, blend, intersperse, have dealings (with)," probably borrowed from an Old Norse predecessor of Old Icelandic blend (1st singular), blendr (3rd singular), present tense forms of blanda "to mix in, blend," going back to Germanic *blanda- "to mix, mingle," probably originally "to make murky or obscure" (whence also Old English blandan, blondan, geblandan "to mix, blend," Old Saxon giblandan "blended, mingled," Middle Dutch blanden "to mix," Old High German blantan "to produce, bring about" [Middle High German blanden "to make turbid, mix, bring about"], Gothic sik blandan "to associate with"), o-grade causative from a dialectal Indo-European base *b^hlend^h- "become murky or cloudy, see poorly" whence also Old Church Slavic blędǫ, blęsti "to chatter, talk nonsense," blǫždǫ, blǫditi "to wander," Polish błąd "error," Lithuanian bleñdžiasi, blę͂stis "to become dark," blandùs "impure, murky, dark"

Note: The verb *b^hlend^h- is among a group of roots that J. Pokorny (Indogermanisches etymologisches Wörterbuch) took as "extensions" (Erweiterungen) from zero-grade of *b^hel- "shine" (see bald entry 1). But, aside from semantic issues, this use of extensions is so unconstrained that any phonotactically appropriate verbal base beginning with *b^hl- that might have the vaguest figurative connection to light or vision can be claimed as a derivative of *b^hel-. If such extensions explain so little, there is little reason to evoke them, and etyma such as *b^hlend^h- stand on their own. See also blind entry 1, blende, blunder entry 1.

Noun

derivative of blend entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing blend

• blend in
• blend into
• blend well

Kids Definition

blend

1 of 2 verb

ˈblend 

1

: to mix thoroughly so that the things mixed cannot be recognized

2

: to shade into each other : merge

3

: harmonize sense 2

furniture that blends with the draperies

blend

2 of 2 noun

1

: a thorough mixture

2

: a product (as coffee) prepared by blending