To blindfold someone means to cover their eyes with a cloth or other material so they cannot see. The cloth itself is also called a blindfold. You might blindfold someone before a surprise party, or players might wear blindfolds during games like pin the tail on the donkey or blindfolded tag.

A simple scarf, bandana, or strip of fabric tied around someone's head works perfectly as a blindfold.

Being blindfolded forces you to rely on your other senses: hearing, touch, and spatial memory. Some trust exercises ask people to lead a blindfolded partner through an obstacle course, helping both people learn about communication and reliance on others. Blindfolding can make familiar places feel completely strange and disorienting.

The word can also describe doing something without proper information or guidance, like making a decision blindfolded when you don't have the facts you need. When someone says they're “flying blind,” they mean they're acting without being able to see what's ahead or understand the full situation.