blither; blithest
1
: lacking due thought or consideration : casual, heedless
blithe unconcern
a blithe disregard for the rights of others
2
: of a happy lighthearted character or disposition
a blithe spirit
blithe enjoyment
blithely adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for blithe

merry, blithe, jocund, jovial, jolly mean showing high spirits or lightheartedness.

merry suggests cheerful, joyous, uninhibited enjoyment of frolic or festivity.

a merry group of revelers

blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety.

arrived late in his usual blithe way

jocund stresses elation and exhilaration of spirits.

singing, dancing, and jocund feasting

jovial suggests the stimulation of conviviality and good fellowship.

dinner put them in a jovial mood

jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting.

our jolly host enlivened the party

Examples of blithe in a Sentence

He showed blithe disregard for the rights of others. He was blithe about the risks to his health.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Across almost 20 novels, the British author spun fantastical tales with unsentimental wit, infusing his work with darkly morbid humor, blithe child endangerment, rotten and antagonistic adults, and a willingness to occasionally laugh at the misfortune of others. Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025 But the people who fear Trump aren’t being so blithe. Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 7 Oct. 2025 But if blithe grandiosity was Stein’s armor, there was a chink in it. Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025 As for prison itself, Boone is blithe. Carrie Battan, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blithe

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English blīthe; akin to Old High German blīdi joyous

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of blithe was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blithe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blithe. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

blithe

adjective
1
: of a happy carefree nature
2
: heedless
blithe unconcern
blithely adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on blithe

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