Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

blight

Pronunciation: /blʌɪt/
Translate blight | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of blight

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1a plant disease, typically one caused by fungi such as mildews, rusts, and smuts:the vines suffered blight and disease potato blight
  • 2 [in singular] a thing that spoils or damages something:her remorse could be a blight on that happiness
  • the degeneration of a landscape or urban area as a result of neglect:the city’s high-rise social housing had become synonymous with urban blight

verb

  • 1 [with object] infect (plants) with blight: a peach tree blighted by leaf curl
  • 2spoil, harm, or destroy:the scandal blighted the careers of several leading politicians
  • (usually as adjective blighted) subject (an urban area) to neglect:plans to establish enterprise zones in blighted areas

Origin:

mid 16th century (denoting inflammation of the skin): of unknown origin

blight in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of blight in the US English dictionary
  |  Cite
Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

Shop for an Oxford dictionary

Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

monocular

/ məˈnɒkjʊlə /
adjective , noun
with, for, or in one eye …