bless

American

[bles] / blɛs /

verb (used with object)

blessed, blest, blessing

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

Synonyms:

beatify, magnify, glorify, hallow, exalt
to request of God the bestowal of divine favor on.

Bless this house.
to bestow good of any kind upon.

a nation blessed with peace.
to extol as holy; glorify.

Bless the name of the Lord.
to protect or guard from evil (usually used as an interjection).

Bless you! Bless your innocent little heart!
to condemn or curse.

I'll be blessed if I can see your reasoning. Bless me if it isn't my old friend!
to make the sign of the cross over or upon.

The Pope blessed the multitude.

bless British

/ blɛs /

verb

to consecrate or render holy, beneficial, or prosperous by means of a religious rite
to give honour or glory to (a person or thing) as divine or holy
to call upon God to protect; give a benediction to
to worship or adore (God); call or hold holy
(often passive) to grant happiness, health, or prosperity to

they were blessed with perfect peace
(usually passive) to endow with a talent, beauty, etc

she was blessed with an even temper
rare to protect against evil or harm
(interjection) an exclamation of well-wishing
(interjection)
1. a traditional phrase said to a person who has just sneezed
2. an exclamation of well-wishing or surprise
(interjection) an exclamation of surprise
to be desperately poor

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Fortunately, clear skies will bless BTS for the live event, although Netflix’s Mussman admits without elaboration, “There was a rain plan.”

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

You can’t help rooting for Colleen Hoover heroines, bless their bruised hearts.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

"Yes and no. We will see. Yes and no. He doesn't want, but doesn't want doesn't mean he will not. God bless. God bless, we will be successful. Thank you."

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

All I can say is bless Boasberg for continuing to push that contempt case.

From Slate • Feb. 19, 2026

“Sí. Mamá wants to bless you, too. Go to her now.”

From "Lupita Mañana" by Patricia Beatty

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023