Bald-faced vs. Boldface – Which is Correct?

While often confused due to similar sounds, bald-faced and boldface are distinct terms with different meanings and uses. Bald-faced describes something blatant or impudent, like a lie, while boldface refers to a heavy, dark typeface used for emphasis. Both are correct in American English but are not interchangeable.

Bald-faced or Boldface – Which is Correct?

Both “bald-faced” and “boldface” are correct words in the English language, but they serve entirely different purposes and cannot be used interchangeably. The confusion primarily stems from their phonetic similarity, leading some to mistakenly use one when they mean the other.

• Bald-faced is an adjective, almost exclusively used in the phrase “bald-faced lie,” meaning a lie that is brazen, obvious, and without any attempt at concealment. It implies impudence and a lack of shame.
• Boldface can be a noun or an adjective. As a noun, it refers to a typeface with thick, heavy strokes, designed to stand out. As an adjective, it describes text printed in this style.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To remember the difference, think about the core meaning of each word:

• For bald-faced: Imagine a “bald” face that has nothing to hide, making a lie undeniable and obvious. It’s a face that clearly shows its impudence.
• For boldface: Think of “bold” letters that stand out visually, just like a bold person stands out in a crowd. It’s about visual emphasis in text.

You can also use a “context swap test”: If you’re talking about a blatant untruth, you can’t substitute “boldface lie.” If you’re talking about text emphasis, “bald-faced type” makes no sense.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Bald-faced	Adjective	Blatant, undisguised, impudent (especially of a lie)	She told a bald-faced lie about her whereabouts.
Boldface	Noun / Adjective	A heavy, dark typeface; printed in such a typeface	The key terms were highlighted in boldface in the textbook.

How to Use Bald-faced

“Bald-faced” is an adjective used to describe something that is openly and shamelessly false, impudent, or obvious. It carries a strong connotation of audacity and a lack of attempt to conceal the truth. While it can theoretically modify other nouns, it is overwhelmingly found in the idiom “bald-faced lie.” Its tone is generally critical or disapproving, highlighting the blatant nature of the deception.

Example 1: The politician’s denial was a bald-faced lie, evident to anyone who had seen the evidence.

Example 2: It was a bald-faced attempt to steal credit for someone else’s work, showing no remorse.

Example 3: Her excuse for being late was so flimsy it amounted to a bald-faced fabrication.

What are the different forms of Bald-faced?

As an adjective, “bald-faced” can be used in comparative and superlative forms, though these are less common, especially outside of its idiomatic use with “lie.”

• Positive: bald-faced (e.g., a bald-faced lie)
• Comparative: more bald-faced (e.g., a more bald-faced lie)
• Superlative: most bald-faced (e.g., the most bald-faced lie)

Etymology of the word Bald-faced

The term “bald-faced” originated in the 17th century. The “bald” component likely refers to being “uncovered” or “bare,” suggesting something exposed and unconcealed. The “faced” part implies being presented openly. Together, it conveys the idea of a lie or deception that is not hidden, much like a face without a mask. It is distinct from the physical condition of being bald (lacking hair).

How to Use Boldface

“Boldface” primarily refers to a style of type that is darker and heavier than regular text, used for emphasis or to make certain words stand out. It can function as a noun (referring to the typeface itself) or as an adjective (describing text printed in that style). In professional writing, it’s crucial for highlighting keywords, headings, or important information, aiding readability and comprehension.

Example 1: Please put all the new vocabulary words in boldface so students can easily find them.

Example 2: The editor requested that the character names appear in boldface throughout the script.

Example 3: Make sure to read the instructions printed in boldface at the top of the page.

What are the different forms of Boldface?

As a noun, “boldface” can be pluralized:

• Singular: boldface (e.g., The document uses a lot of boldface.)
• Plural: boldfaces (e.g., The design guide specifies different boldfaces for headings.)

As an adjective, it typically does not have comparative or superlative forms, as typeface style is generally a binary characteristic (either boldface or not).

Etymology of the word Boldface

The word “boldface” is a compound word derived from “bold” and “face.” “Bold” comes from Old English beald, meaning “brave, strong, confident,” which by the 16th century also applied to features that were prominent or striking. “Face” in this context refers to the “face of a type” or the printed surface. The combination emerged in the 19th century to describe the distinctively heavy and prominent appearance of certain typefaces.

Related Concepts

Understanding related linguistic and typographical concepts can further clarify the distinct roles of “bald-faced” and “boldface” in communication.

• Compound Adjectives: Bald-faced is a compound adjective, formed by combining two or more words (bald + faced) to create a single descriptive term. These often require a hyphen when preceding the noun they modify (e.g., “a bald-faced lie”).
• Typography: Boldface is a fundamental concept in typography, the art and technique of arranging type. Other related terms include italics, underline, font, kerning, and leading, all of which contribute to the visual presentation and readability of text.
• Idiomatic Expressions: The phrase “bald-faced lie” is an idiom, a phrase whose meaning cannot be understood from the ordinary meaning of its words. It’s a fixed expression with a specific, culturally understood meaning.

Examples from Media and Literature

• In a news report, a journalist might write: “The company’s CEO issued a bald-faced denial despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.”
• A textbook might instruct: “Key terms are highlighted in boldface for easy identification.”
• From a fictional novel: “He looked at her with a bald-faced audacity that made her blood boil.”
• A style guide might specify: “Use boldface for section titles and important warnings.”
• In a legal document: “Any clause marked in boldface requires special attention from the signatory.”

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The witness told a clearly _____ lie to the jury.
2. Please make sure the chapter headings are in _____.
3. It was a _____ attempt to evade responsibility for the mistake.
4. The author used _____ for character names to distinguish them from the narrator’s voice.
5. I couldn’t believe his _____ excuse for missing the deadline.

Answer Key

1. bald-faced
2. boldface
3. bald-faced
4. boldface
5. bald-faced

Bald-faced Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Blatant	Completely lacking in subtlety; very obvious.
Flagrant	(Of an action considered wrong or immoral) conspicuously or obviously offensive.
Shameless	(Of a person or their conduct) showing a lack of shame.
Impudent	Not showing due respect for another person; impertinent.
Undisguised	Not disguised or concealed; open.

Boldface Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Bold type	Another term for boldface, emphasizing the style of print.
Heavy type	Describing a typeface with thicker strokes, similar to boldface.
Blackface	An older, less common term for boldface, referring to its dark appearance. (Note: this term has other, problematic connotations and should be used with extreme caution or avoided in general discourse.)
Emphasized text	General term for text that is made to stand out, which boldface achieves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can I use “bold-faced lie” and “boldface lie” interchangeably?
No, only “bald-faced lie” is the correct idiom. “Boldface lie” is incorrect and makes no sense in English, as “boldface” refers to a typeface, not a characteristic of a lie.

Question 2: Is “bald-faced” ever used outside of describing a lie?
While “bald-faced lie” is by far its most common usage, “bald-faced” can occasionally describe other blatant or impudent actions or statements, like a “bald-faced insult” or “bald-faced attempt.” However, its strong association with “lie” makes these other uses less frequent.

Question 3: Why is “boldface” important in writing?
Boldface is crucial for visual hierarchy and emphasis in written communication. It helps readers quickly identify important information, headings, keywords, or warnings, improving readability and comprehension, especially in technical documents, textbooks, and web content.

Conclusion

Navigating the nuances of English vocabulary is key to clear and effective communication. While “bald-faced” and “boldface” may sound similar, they are distinct words with entirely different meanings and applications. Remember that a bald-faced lie is a blatant untruth, while boldface refers to a typeface used for emphasis. Confusing the two can lead to misunderstandings or diminish the clarity of your message. A professional writer or speaker always strives for precision.