double-blind

adjective

dou·​ble-blind ˌdə-bəl-ˈblīnd 

sometimes offensive

: of, relating to, or being an experimental procedure in which neither the subjects nor the experimenters know which subjects are in the test and control groups during the actual course of the experiments see usage paragraph at blind entry 1 compare open-label, single-blind

Examples of double-blind in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It was being served to an alpha-gal patient as part of a double-blind clinical trial organized by Scott Commins and Sarah McGill, a gastroenterologist at the medical school. — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

The University of Groningen double-blind study is cited specifically in the company’s press materials, and the research page on the SunLED website links to the underlying studies. — Allison Palmer updated June 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2026

To better understand the relationship between glucosamine supplements and Alzheimer’s, large-scale double-blind clinical trials are still needed, Sun said. — Cathy Nelson, Health, 18 June 2026

Meanwhile another trial that was double-blind examined the use of ibogaine for reducing cocaine cravings and found fewer relapses in the drug group compared with the placebo group. — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for double-blind

• countersigned
• disinclined
• humankind
• interlined
• intertwined
• mastermind
• misaligned
• nonaligned
• predefined
• realigned
• reassigned
• recombined

Medical Definition

double-blind

adjective

dou·​ble-blind ˌdəb-əl-ˈblīnd 

sometimes offensive

: of, relating to, or being an experimental procedure in which neither the subjects nor the experimenters know which subjects are in the test and control groups during the actual course of the experiments

Note: Figurative uses of blind, whether alone or as part of a longer word, compound, or idiom, are sometimes considered offensive when they associate negative characteristics (such as lack of knowledge or understanding) with blindness. Generally speaking, the more negative such a use is, the more likely it is to offend.

compare open-label, single-blind