baldly
gb/bˈɔldli/ us/bˈɔldli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
C1
property
1
in a blunt, direct way
in a very direct way, without politeness
Usage pattern:
[someone] says/states/tells [something] baldly
Common mistake:
Often confused with boldly (= bravely or confidently). Baldly means bluntly or plainly.
Synonyms
bluntly (Very direct and possibly rude; the closest match.)
|
frankly (Direct, but can sound less harsh than baldly.)
|
flatly (Direct and firm, often in refusals or denials.)
Antonyms
tactfully (Saying something carefully to avoid offending.)
|
diplomatically (Speaking in a way that maintains good relations.)
|
politely (Showing courtesy rather than bluntness.)
Collocations
state baldly
|say baldly
|tell [someone] baldly
|baldly admit
|baldly deny
|baldly assert
|baldly refuse
|baldly reject
|baldly claim
|baldly dismiss
Themes
communication
|social_interaction
Examples
- She baldly told him she wasn’t interested.
- The report baldly states that the project has failed.
- He baldly refused to apologize.
Learner examples
- I said it baldly, and she got upset.
- He baldly said no.
adverb
C1
property
2
in a plain, unadorned style
in a very plain way, without extra detail
Usage pattern:
[something] is presented/described baldly
Common mistake:
Baldly here means 'without decoration or extra explanation,' not 'without hair.'
Synonyms
starkly (Emphasizes harsh simplicity or contrast.)
|
plainly (Neutral simplicity; can be less severe.)
|
barely (Emphasizes the absence of additions or ornament.)
Antonyms
elaborately (With many details or additions.)
|
ornately (With decorative detail.)
Collocations
baldly presented
|baldly described
|baldly written
|baldly functional
|baldly simple
|baldly factual
|baldly stated
|baldly realistic
Themes
writing
|art_design
|communication
Examples
- The room was baldly furnished, with only a bed and a chair.
- The facts are baldly presented, without any commentary.
- He described the incident baldly, leaving out the emotional context.
Learner examples
- The story is told baldly, with few details.
adverb
C1
property
3
in an unmistakably obvious way
clearly and without doubt
Usage pattern:
baldly + [adjective] (e.g., obvious, false, apparent)
Common mistake:
Don’t use baldly for physical appearance; it typically intensifies a judgment (e.g., 'baldly false').
Synonyms
plainly (Clear and easy to see; less forceful than baldly.)
|
patently (Emphasizes that something is clearly the case, often in argument.)
|
clearly (General term; less emphatic.)
Antonyms
ambiguously (In a way that can be understood in more than one way.)
|
unclearly (Not easy to understand or see.)
Collocations
baldly obvious
|baldly apparent
|baldly clear
|baldly false
|baldly untrue
|baldly wrong
Themes
communication
|thinking_reasoning
Examples
- It was baldly obvious that she wanted to leave.
- The statement is baldly false.
- His excuse was baldly unconvincing.
Learner examples
- The claim is baldly false.
Grammar
Dictionary form
baldly
IPA
GB/bˈɔldli/
US/bˈɔldli/
Syllables & stress
baldly (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (baldly)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: baldly
- Plural: baldlies
Word family
Forms
baldlies
noun
Core family
bald
adjective A2
baldness
noun
Expressions
baldly obvious
1/bˈɔldli ˈɑbviəs/
fixed phrase
completely and unmistakably obvious
very, very obvious
Examples
- It was baldly obvious that they had rehearsed the answers.
- Her irritation was baldly obvious in her voice.
- By then it was baldly obvious we were lost.
to put it baldly
1/tə pˈʊt ˈɪt bˈɔldli/
fixed phrase
introduce a blunt statement
used before you say something very direct
Examples
- To put it baldly, we don’t have enough money to continue.
- To put it baldly, your plan won’t work.
- To put it baldly, he lied.