adj
blithe
blyth
adj
1
Showing a careless or casual disregard for something serious.
"His blithe dismissal of the risks worried the whole team."
"She made a blithe comment about the cost, as if money were no object."
2
Cheerful and carefree; happy in a light, untroubled way.
"The children played with a blithe disregard for the time."
How to Use Blithe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither cheerfully carefree, or — more commonly today — carelessly unconcerned about something that deserves more attention.
Common mistake
In modern use, "blithe" is usually slightly critical (careless, unconcerned) rather than simply "happy" — check the context before assuming a purely positive meaning.
Common pairings
blithe disregard
blithe indifference
blithe assumption
Word Forms
blither comparative, blithest superlative
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Etymology
From Old English blīþe meaning "happy, gentle," from a Proto-Germanic root connected to brightness and pleasantness.