Words / C2

BLYTH/blaɪð/

Blithe means casually cheerful, often too casually: blithe disregard, a blithe assumption. Cheerful is everyday and safer; careless is the warning inside blithe. Lithe is flexible — a lookalike. Do not call a careful, kind tone blithe.

Meaning

Showing a casual, sometimes careless, cheerfulness (often blithe disregard).

Examples

• “A blithe “it will be fine” ignored the failed fire door.”
• “A blithe “it will be fine” ignored the failed fire door on the plan.”
• “Cheerful is everyday. Blithe disregard is the set damning phrase. Lithe is supple. Blythe as a name is unrelated. Documented caution is the opposite of blithe.”

Good to know

Carelessly cheerful. Set phrase: blithe disregard. Everyday: cheerful (safer). Mix-up: lithe (supple). Not careful kindness.

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