blond

Blond is a hair color characterized by light pigmentation, ranging from pale yellow to light brown. In English, the spelling blond is traditionally the masculine form or adjective, while blonde is the feminine form; in American usage blonde is often used for both genders, and the term is sometimes used as a noun to describe a person with blond hair.

Genetically, natural blond hair results from lower production of eumelanin in hair follicles, often with multiple genes influencing shade and intensity. The color can fade with sun exposure or age, and many people who are naturally blond become darker as they grow older. There are several shades, including strawberry blond (a light reddish-blond) and platinum blond (very pale).

Geographically, blond hair is most prevalent in Northern Europe, especially among populations of Scandinavian and Baltic ancestry, but it occurs worldwide in various frequencies. The trait is polygenic and influenced by ancestry, environment, and hair bleaching or dyeing practices. It has been a notable aesthetic and cultural descriptor in art, literature, and media, but its social associations vary across cultures and time periods.