bless

American  

[bles] / blɛs /

verb (used with object)

blessed, blest, blessing

1. to consecrate or sanctify by a religious rite; make or pronounce holy.

   Synonyms:

   beatify , magnify , glorify , hallow , exalt

2. to request of God the bestowal of divine favor on.

   Bless this house.

3. to bestow good of any kind upon.

   a nation blessed with peace.

4. to extol as holy; glorify.

   Bless the name of the Lord.

5. to protect or guard from evil (usually used as an interjection).

   Bless you! Bless your innocent little heart!

6. to condemn or curse.

   I'll be blessed if I can see your reasoning. Bless me if it isn't my old friend!

7. to make the sign of the cross over or upon.

   The Pope blessed the multitude.

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bless British  

/ blɛs /

verb

1. to consecrate or render holy, beneficial, or prosperous by means of a religious rite

2. to give honour or glory to (a person or thing) as divine or holy

3. to call upon God to protect; give a benediction to

4. to worship or adore (God); call or hold holy

5. (often passive) to grant happiness, health, or prosperity to

   they were blessed with perfect peace

6. (usually passive) to endow with a talent, beauty, etc

   she was blessed with an even temper

7. rare  to protect against evil or harm

8. (interjection) an exclamation of well-wishing

9. (interjection)

   1. a traditional phrase said to a person who has just sneezed

   2. an exclamation of well-wishing or surprise

10. (interjection) an exclamation of surprise

11. to be desperately poor

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Other Word Forms

• blesser noun
• blessingly adverb
• outbless verb (used with object)
• prebless verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of bless

First recorded before 950; Middle English blessen, Old English blētsian, blēdsian “to consecrate” (originally done with blood), earlier *blōdisōian ( blōd “blood” + -isō- derivational suffix + -ian verb suffix); blood

Example Sentences

Today he works for a skilled-trade union that is deploying two dozen workers to the site, and he hails the reopening as a “blessing.”

From The Wall Street Journal

By September 2025, Booker announced their engagement on Instagram, calling her “one of the greatest unearned blessings of my life.”

From Salon

Stocks blessed investors with a rebound during the shortened Thanksgiving week of trading.

From MarketWatch

Other discoveries include a votive token depicting Christ offering a blessing.

From The Wall Street Journal

“For many years I have shared my family with you all—the highs and lows, the ups and downs, and all of the blessings and beautiful memories in between,” the on-screen star wrote.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• anoint
• baptize
• consecrate
• ordain
• thank