Definition of blithe

The word "blithe" has its roots in Old English and Middle English. In Old English, the word "blīþ" or "blīoþ" meant "joyful" or "carefree." This Old English word is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*blītan," which is also the source of the Modern English word "bleat." In Middle English (circa 1100-1500 CE), the word "blithe" continued to mean "joyful" or "merry." It was often used to describe a person who was cheerful, optimistic, or careless. For example, in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, the character of Sir Thopas is described as being "blithe and bold" when he sings. Today, the word "blithe" is still used to describe someone who is carefree, optimistic, and cheerful.