Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “bland” come from?

Bland comes from Latin blandus, from Old English blandan, from Proto-Indo-European meld-, mel-, and mey-, ultimately meaning to mix or blend.

bland (English): Having a soothing effect; not irritating or...

Definitions

  1. Having a soothing effect; not irritating or...

Ancestry of “bland”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinblanduspleasant, agreeable; enticing, seductive,...
2Proto-Indo-Europeanmland-—
3Proto-Indo-Europeanmeld-to beat, crush, grind
4Proto-Indo-Europeanmel-soft; tender; weak; to deceive; to rub
5Proto-Indo-Europeanmey-to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange

Words derived from “bland”

  • blandly
  • blandness
  • blander
  • blandify
Every word from Proto-Indo-European mey- →