a plant disease, typically one caused by fungi such as mildews, rusts, and smuts, a thing that spoils or damages something, a disease or injury of plants characterized by withering and death of parts

cast a blight on, blighty, blight on society

urban blight, potato blight, blight on the landscape

Formal and Informal Expressions of blight

In different contexts, you can replace 'blight' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'disease, infection' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'curse, scourge' is a commonplace synonym.

blight: Explore its Definition & Usage

blight Definition

1a plant disease, typically one caused by fungi such as mildews, rusts, and smuts
2a thing that spoils or damages something
3a disease or injury of plants characterized by withering and death of parts

Using blight: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "blight" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The blight destroyed the entire crop.
Example
The economic blight on the city was caused by the closure of the factory.
Example
The disease is a blight on the region's citrus industry.
Example
The blight of poverty affects many families in the area.

blight Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for blight

Antonyms for blight

Idioms Using blight

cast a blight on
to spoil or damage something
Example
The scandal cast a blight on his political career.
blighty
a slang term for Britain, especially as a place of residence or origin
Example
He longed to return to blighty after years of fighting in the war.
blight on society
a person or group that is considered harmful or detrimental to society
Example
The government views drug dealers as a blight on society and has implemented harsh penalties for drug-related crimes.

Phrases with blight

urban blight
the decay and deterioration of buildings and neighborhoods in urban areas
Example
The city council is working to address the issue of urban blight in the downtown area.
potato blight
a disease that affects potato plants, causing the leaves to wither and turn brown
Example
The Irish potato famine was caused by a severe outbreak of potato blight.
blight on the landscape
something that spoils the appearance of a place or view
Example
The new high-rise building is a blight on the landscape of the historic district.

Origins of blight

from Old English 'blīhtan', meaning 'to wilt or fade'

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Summary: blight in Brief

The term 'blight' [blahyt] refers to plant diseases caused by fungi, or anything that spoils or damages something. It can also refer to a disease or injury of plants characterized by withering and death of parts. Examples include 'The blight destroyed the entire crop.' and 'The economic blight on the city was caused by the closure of the factory.' Phrases like 'urban blight' and idioms like 'cast a blight on' extend the meaning to urban decay and social harm.