blind seed: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Figurative
Quick answer
What does “blind seed” mean?
To sow seeds without first preparing the soil or without knowing if conditions are suitable for germination.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To sow seeds without first preparing the soil or without knowing if conditions are suitable for germination.
To invest effort or resources into a venture without proper preparation, research, or assurance of success; to proceed blindly.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The literal agricultural term is recognized in both, but the metaphorical usage is more established in American business jargon.
Connotations
In both, it carries a negative connotation of recklessness or lack of planning.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English, particularly in tech and startup environments.
Grammar
How to Use “blind seed” in a Sentence
[Subject] blind seeds [Object] (e.g., They blind seeded the new software).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blind seed” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The developer decided to blind seed the update, leading to numerous user complaints.
American English
- They blind-seeded the ad campaign across all platforms without a focus group.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphor for launching a product without market research.
Academic
Critique of research methodologies deployed without pilot studies.
Everyday
Rare; used figuratively for ill-prepared actions (e.g., planning a trip without checking visas).
Technical
Literal agronomy term for direct seeding into unprepared soil.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blind seed”
- Using it as a noun only (e.g., 'It was a blind seed') instead of primarily a verb phrase.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a two-word verb phrase, often hyphenated when used as a compound modifier before a noun (e.g., a blind-seed approach).
Rarely. Its primary function is verbal. A nominal form would be 'blind seeding' (e.g., 'The blind seeding of capital').
'Speculate' is broader and can imply calculated risk. 'Blind seed' specifically emphasises the absence of preparation or knowledge.
No, it's a specialised term from agronomy adopted metaphorically in business/tech circles. It is not part of general everyday vocabulary.
To sow seeds without first preparing the soil or without knowing if conditions are suitable for germination.
Blind seed is usually technical / figurative in register.
Blind seed: in British English it is pronounced /blaɪnd siːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /blaɪnd sid/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A blind seed in stony ground (likely to fail).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a farmer wearing a blindfold scattering seeds—action without sight or insight.
Conceptual Metaphor
INVESTMENT IS SOWING / FAILURE IS BARREN SOIL.
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, 'blind seed' most closely means: