Definition
To mix two or more things together so smoothly that they become one. Can also describe things that fit together naturally and harmoniously.
Example
She blended the spices carefully to make the sauce.
Show translation
She blended the spices carefully to make the sauce.
Etymology
From Middle English *blenden*, probably from Old Norse *blanda* ("to mix"), related to Old English *blandan*. The same root gives us "bland" — something so thoroughly mixed that all sharp flavors disappear. The culinary appliance "blender" is a 20th-century coinage derived from this verb.
Cultural note
*Blend* is a versatile English word that migrates freely across contexts: wine experts talk about a "blend" of grape varieties, musicians describe genres as "blending" influences, and city planners speak of architecture that "blends into" its surroundings. In American English, the phrasal verb "blend in" is especially common and carries a social meaning — to avoid standing out in a crowd.