blått

Bløtt is a Norwegian adjective that describes texture and moisture, depending on the context. Primarily it denotes softness or a yielding quality in objects such as fabric, bread, skin, or other materials. In some uses it can also imply dampness or moisture, although for humidity or wetness many speakers would choose words like våt or fuktig.

Etymology and usage context: Bløtt comes from an older form related to Old Norse blaut, meaning damp or moist. Over time the sense expanded to cover soft or tender textures as well. Today the word appears in both Bokmål and Nynorsk with broadly the same meaning, though regional variation can affect nuance and preference for certain collocations.

Nuance and contrasts: Bløtt is often used when emphasis is on pliability, tenderness, or gentle yield, such as soft skin, soft bread, or a soft surface. It contrasts with words for hardness (hardt) or stiffness (stiv) and with dry terms like tørr. When moisture is the central sense, speakers more commonly use våt or fuktig, while bløtt can describe objects that are soft and moist together.

Examples: Det er bløtt å berøre. Brødet er bløtt i midten. Den bløte overflaten ble glatt av regnet.

See also: soft, myk, våt, fuktig, tørr.