Definition

1. Noun:

   • A large piece of soft fabric used as bedding for warmth: A thick, often rectangular covering, typically made of wool or other material, used on a bed to provide warmth.
   • A layer that covers something completely: A continuous, unbroken layer or covering that extends over a surface or area.

2. Verb:

   • To cover something completely with a layer: To form a continuous layer over a surface, often obscuring what is beneath.
   • To stifle or suppress something: To muffle or deaden, as in sound.

3. Adjective:

   • Applying to all cases or instances without exception: Covering or affecting all members of a group or all situations in a broad, comprehensive manner.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • She wrapped herself in a warm blanket.
  • A thick blanket of fog covered the valley.

• Verb:

  • Fresh snow blanketed the town overnight.
  • The loud music blanketed all other sounds in the room.

• Adjective:

  • The company issued a blanket ban on personal phone calls.
  • They offered a blanket apology to all affected customers.

Advanced Usage

• "A wet blanket" (idiomatic noun phrase): A person who spoils the enjoyment of others by being gloomy, disapproving, or unenthusiastic.

  • Don't be such a wet blanket; come and join the party!

• "To be born on the wrong side of the blanket" (idiomatic phrase): An old-fashioned expression meaning to be born to parents who are not married to each other.

Variants and Related Words

• Electric blanket (noun): A blanket with an integrated electrical heating element.
• Security blanket (noun): Literally, a blanket carried by a child for comfort; figuratively, anything that provides a person with a sense of security.
• Blanket stitch (noun): A sturdy stitch used to finish the edges of blankets or other thick fabrics.

Synonyms

• Noun (for covering): Cover, layer, cloak, mantle, sheet.
• Verb (to cover): Cover, cloak, shroud, envelop, carpet.
• Adjective (comprehensive): Comprehensive, all-inclusive, sweeping, across-the-board, general.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

• To blanket (something) with (something): To cover something completely with a particular substance or thing.
  • The media blanketed the airwaves with news of the election.

Related Idioms

• To throw/put a wet blanket on/over something/someone: To discourage enthusiasm or excitement; to dampen spirits.
  • His criticism put a wet blanket on our plans for celebration.

Adjective

1. broad in scope or content
   • across-the-board pay increases
   • an all-embracing definition
   • blanket sanctions against human-rights violators
   • an invention with broad applications
   • a panoptic study of Soviet nationality- T.G.Winner
   • granted him wide powers

Noun

1. a layer of lead surrounding the highly reactive core of a nuclear reactor
2. anything that covers
   • there was a blanket of snow
3. bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
   • he pulled the covers over his head and went to sleep

Verb

1. form a blanket-like cover (over)
2. cover as if with a blanket
   • snow blanketed the fields