Standard Lemma guide

blindside

noun · verb · 9 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈblaɪndˌsaɪd/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: B L AY1 N D S AY2 D Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A driver's field of blindness around an automobile; the side areas behind the driver.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: automotive, transport, vehicles

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: blind spot

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A tram/train driver's field of blindness around a tram (trolley/streetcar) or a train; the side areas behind the tram/train driver.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: rail-transport, railways, transport

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: blind spot

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A person's weak point.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

The space on the side of the pitch with the shorter distance between the breakdown/set piece and the touchline; compare openside.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: ball-games, games, hobbies, lifestyle, rugby, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

The blindside flanker, a position in rugby union, usually number 6.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: rugby union

Examples

  • The blindside packs down at the scrum on the blindside.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

To attack (a person) on his or her blind side.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • The robbers crept out of the forest and blindsided the traveller.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

verb

Meaning 7

To catch off guard; to take by surprise.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, informal, transitive

Examples

  • He had completed his plan to develop a new office building, but was blindsided by the sudden drop in real estate values.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

verb

Meaning 8

attack or hit on or from the side where the attacked person's view is obstructed

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: assail, assault, set on, attack

9

verb

Meaning 9

catch unawares, especially with harmful consequences

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The economic downturn blindsided many investors

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: surprise

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English blind Proto-Indo-European *seh1-der. Proto-Germanic *sīdaz Proto-Germanic *sīdǭ Old English sīde Middle English side English side English blindside From blind + side.

Across languages

Translations

34 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: slepý úhel — motor vehicle/train/tram driver's field of blindness
  • Finnish: kuollut kulma — motor vehicle/train/tram driver's field of blindness
  • French: angle mort — motor vehicle/train/tram driver's field of blindness
  • Italian: angolo morto — motor vehicle/train/tram driver's field of blindness
  • Norwegian Bokmål: dødvinkel — motor vehicle/train/tram driver's field of blindness
  • Polish: martwe pole — motor vehicle/train/tram driver's field of blindness
  • Spanish: lado ciego — motor vehicle/train/tram driver's field of blindness
  • German: überraschend angreifen — To attack (a person) on his or her blind side
  • German: unerwartet herfallen über — To attack (a person) on his or her blind side
  • German: aus heiterem Himmel überfallen — To attack (a person) on his or her blind side
  • Norwegian Bokmål: overrumple — To attack (a person) on his or her blind side
  • Norwegian Bokmål: ta på sengen — To attack (a person) on his or her blind side
  • Polish: potrącać — To attack (a person) on his or her blind side
  • Polish: potrącić — To attack (a person) on his or her blind side
  • Russian: уда́рить исподтишка (udáritʹ ispodtiška) — To attack (a person) on his or her blind side
  • Spanish: atacar por el lado ciego — To attack (a person) on his or her blind side
  • Finnish: yllättää — catch off guard
  • French: prendre par surprise — catch off guard
  • German: überrumpeln — catch off guard
  • German: überraschen — catch off guard
  • German: kalt erwischen — catch off guard
  • Norwegian Bokmål: ta på sengen — catch off guard
  • Norwegian Bokmål: overrumple — catch off guard
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: ta på senga — catch off guard
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: overrumple — catch off guard
  • Polish: zaskakiwać — catch off guard
  • Polish: zaskoczyć — catch off guard
  • Russian: застать врасплох (zastatʹ vrasplox) — catch off guard
  • Spanish: pillar desprevenido — catch off guard
  • Spanish: cachar inadvertidamente — catch off guard
  • Spanish: ampayar con la guardia abajo — catch off guard
  • Spanish: interprender — catch off guard
  • Swedish: ta på sängen — catch off guard
  • Swedish: överrumpla — catch off guard