blanket
noun (countable)
UK/ˈblæŋ.kɪt/US/ˈblæŋ.kɪt/
A large piece of woolen or similar material used as a covering on a bed or elsewhere for warmth.
Example Sentences
She pulled the blanket up to her chin and settled down to watch the movie.
During the cold night, the thick blanket kept him warm and comfortable.
He decided to blanket the entire area with flowers for the festival.
The company plans to blanket the new policy across all departments to ensure uniformity.
After the storm, the streets were blanketed with snow, creating a serene winter landscape.
The news of the merger will blanket all employees, affecting their roles and responsibilities.
The fog blanketed the city, making it difficult to see the buildings in the distance.
They used a dark blanket to cover the equipment, protecting it from dust and debris.
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verb (transitive)
UK/ˈblæŋ.kɪt/US/ˈblæŋ.kɪt/
To cover completely or to include or affect everyone or everything in a particular area or group.
Example Sentences
The manager decided to blanket the entire company with a new set of guidelines to improve efficiency.
The paint blanketed the walls evenly, giving the room a fresh and uniform appearance.
Snow blanketed the countryside, transforming the landscape into a winter wonderland.
They planned to blanket the region with high-speed internet access to bridge the digital divide.
The policy changes will blanket all sectors, ensuring consistency and fairness across the board.
Rain blanketed the city overnight, causing minor flooding in several neighborhoods.
The new regulations aim to blanket every aspect of the industry, leaving no area untouched.
A thick mist blanketed the lake, obscuring visibility and creating an eerie atmosphere.
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How to Use
A warm covering or broad, inclusive term for comprehensive coverage.As a noun, “blanket” frequently denotes a large piece of cloth used for warmth, such as the one you might spread over your bed or wrap around you on a chilly night. The word can also be used metaphorically: you can have a 'blanket policy' or 'blanket ban,' indicating a rule or prohibition that applies across the board. When using 'blanket' in a practical context—like furnishing your home—it’s straightforward: 'I keep a fleece blanket on the couch for cold evenings,' or 'We brought extra blankets on the camping trip.' In conversation about rules or regulations, 'blanket' indicates a broad scope: 'They implemented a blanket ban on smoking in all public spaces.' In written or spoken communication, a 'blanket statement' might be criticized for its overgeneralization—'That’s a blanket statement, and it overlooks specifics.' If you want to highlight that something covers multiple scenarios or extends uniformly over different conditions, 'blanket' is a concise way to express comprehensive coverage. Perhaps a company sets a 'blanket discount' for all customers during a promotional period, meaning everyone benefits equally. In everyday usage, 'blanket' retains that dual function: it’s both the comforting covering you use to stay warm and the concept of an all-encompassing measure or approach. The context—whether domestic, organizational, or policy-related—will clarify which meaning you intend. If you’re writing instructions, specify 'a fleece blanket' or 'a blanket policy' so readers instantly know whether you mean a soft cloth or a wide-ranging directive. Always consider your audience and setting to ensure 'blanket' conveys exactly what you want—warmth, coverage, or sweeping inclusion of multiple categories.
Alternatives
If you’re referring to a physical covering, synonyms like 'coverlet,' 'throw,' or 'quilt' might work, each slightly emphasizing design, weight, or layering. 'Comforter' is another variant, typically thicker and used on beds. For more decorative options, 'afghan' or 'shawl' can signal handmade or stylistic flair, but these don’t always carry the same notion of broad coverage. When focusing on policy or statements, terms like 'comprehensive,' 'universal,' or 'all-encompassing' can replace 'blanket' to avoid repetition or to provide a more formal tone. 'Sweeping' is also handy for describing rules or bans that affect everyone equally, though it often implies a dramatic scale or intensity. The choice of alternative depends on how specific or wide-ranging you want the connotation to be and whether you’re describing a physical item or an overarching directive.
Writing
In written content, 'blanket' can lend clarity and emphasis to your message, whether you’re depicting a soft, comforting wrap or describing an all-inclusive measure. If you’re narrating a scene, for instance, specifying 'She pulled the thick wool blanket over her shoulders' provides sensory detail—allowing readers to feel the texture and warmth. For expository writing about policies or mandates, phrases like 'The committee introduced a blanket protocol to manage data security' highlight that the rule applies in every possible scenario. When crafting instructions, you might advise users to 'Place a lightweight blanket over delicate plants during frosty nights'—using 'blanket' in its literal sense while giving precise guidance. In more conceptual discussions, especially around social or political topics, referencing a 'blanket prohibition' or a 'blanket approach' paints a broad picture, implying nothing and no one is exempted. Always make sure the context—domestic, organizational, legal, or otherwise—is clear to keep readers from confusing a bed covering with a universal policy. Varying your sentence structure can also help maintain flow, e.g., switching between 'the blanket covers' and 'it’s a blanket prohibition,' so your writing remains engaging. By carefully placing the word within clear, supportive context, you ensure that 'blanket' amplifies meaning, whether conjuring the snug warmth of home or the broad scope of all-inclusive policies.
Casual Conversation
In day-to-day life, 'blanket' usually conjures up thoughts of comfort and warmth. You might say, 'I can’t wait to curl up with a blanket and a good book,' or 'Grab a blanket; the movie night is about to start.' If you love traveling or picnicking outdoors, 'Don’t forget to pack a blanket to sit on!' is a common reminder among friends. In casual discussions about broad rules, you could comment, 'They made this blanket rule that everyone must arrive by 7 AM—no exceptions.' Sometimes, you’ll hear phrases like 'throw a wet blanket on it,' meaning to spoil excitement or dampen enthusiasm—a little idiomatic aside that introduces negativity. Another common phrase is 'security blanket,' referring to an object or habit that provides psychological comfort. You might joke that your phone is your 'security blanket,' because you can’t imagine going anywhere without it. When you use 'blanket' in conversation, the context typically makes it obvious if you’re referencing actual bedding or applying the term to something universal, like a 'blanket policy.' It’s a friendly, familiar word that easily slips into talk about cozy evenings, group rules, or even idioms about stifling fun. Because of its dual meaning—warm coverage or broad scope—'blanket' suits casual chit-chat, covering both personal comfort and communal norms in a single word.
Etymology
The term 'blanket' originated from the Old French word 'blanchet,' a diminutive form of 'blanc,' meaning 'white.' Historically, many early blankets were undyed and thus retained the natural color of the wool, giving rise to this name. During the Middle Ages, blankets were primarily made of wool, valued for their warmth and relative affordability compared to more luxurious fabrics. Over time, as textiles developed and production techniques advanced, 'blanket' came to signify any substantial covering intended for warmth, not necessarily white or woolen. In parallel, the sense of 'blanket' as a universal, covering measure developed by analogy. If a literal blanket covers everything beneath it, a 'blanket policy' or 'blanket ban' similarly spreads over all cases, leaving no gaps. This metaphorical usage gained popularity alongside increasing bureaucratic and legal discourse, where terms describing the breadth of rules or orders were in high demand. Thus, 'blanket' preserves its humble origin in describing a basic covering, yet it’s evolved into a word that implies extensive or even total coverage—whether physical, legal, or conceptual.