bless

[bles]

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.

bless

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of bless¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of bless¹

Old English blǣdsian to sprinkle with sacrificial blood; related to blōd _blood

Example Sentences

That fascists are occasionally clever but not typically intelligent is both a blessing and a curse.

From Salon

“I’ve been blessed to be on the right team at the right time,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

They’d open up their homes, set extra places at the dinner table, and even prepare a meal with the hope that maybe the dead would bless them with health and wholeness through the winter months.

From Salon

“They work. They live. They pay bills. ... What Stewart’s opening here is a blessing, not a sin. This is not a homeless camp.”

From Los Angeles Times

He also presented text messages from late December where Ms Bunyan said she was keen to keep seeing him and called him a "blessing in my life."

From BBC

Related Words

• anoint 
• baptize 
• consecrate 
• ordain 
• thank