1 B2 neutral
To cover or obscure something so completely that it cannot be seen.
"Dark storm clouds blotted out the sun within minutes."
separable
blot out
B2 neutral separable transitive
To cover or obscure something completely, or to deliberately suppress a memory.
In plain English
To completely hide or get rid of something — like erasing it with a big ink blot.
What does "blot out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To deliberately suppress or erase a painful memory or thought from one's mind.
"He turned to alcohol to blot out the guilt he felt about the accident."
separable
3 C1 idiomatic formal
To destroy or eliminate something or someone completely (literary or dramatic).
"The volcanic eruption blotted out several villages and entire ecosystems."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To place a blot (a mark of ink) over writing so it can no longer be read — to obliterate by covering.
Actually means
To completely hide or get rid of something — like erasing it with a big ink blot.
Usage tip
Used both literally (obscuring light, the sun) and figuratively (erasing memories, guilt). The figurative sense is very common. Often implies a deliberate effort to eliminate something unwanted.
Words that pair with "blot out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
sun sky memory past pain guilt view
How to conjugate "blot out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
blot out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
blots out
he/she/it
Past simple
bloted out
yesterday
Past participle
bloted out
have + pp
-ing form
bloting out
continuous
Hear "blot out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "blot out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "blot out"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
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