Blondines

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A category of individuals characterized by light-colored hair, often regarded for their distinctive appearance
2. Describing women with fair or yellowish hair who may embody certain cultural stereotypes
3. Referring to female persons whose hair color leans towards pale tones, frequently associated with specific traits in media and society

Etymology: "Blondines" is the plural of "blondine," a feminine form borrowed from French. French "blonde" (fair-haired, from Old French or Medieval Latin roots that are debated) was the adjective for light hair, and "blondine" carries the French suffix "-ine," which marks a female person in the way "heroine" or "brunette" does. So the plural names a group of fair-haired women, not fair-haired people in general. The English plural in "-s" is simply added to the borrowed noun. Because "blondine" stayed close to its French form, the pair "blonde" and "blondine" often sits side by side in English, with "blonde" used as both adjective and noun for a woman and "blondine" appearing as a more deliberately French or stylized alternative.

Synonyms: blondes