blessed

[bles-id, blest]

adjective

1. Sometimes Blessed consecrated; sacred; holy; sanctified.

   the blessed bond of matrimony.

2. Sometimes Blessed worthy of adoration, reverence, or worship.

   Buddha, the Blessed One.

3. divinely or happily favored; fortunate to have, do, or experience something: often used in a lighthearted way or to avoid sounding boastful.

   We’ve been blessed with excellent health.

   You’re blessed to have such a supportive family.

   Look at the great handbag I found online for next to nothing—I’m so blessed!

4. blissfully happy or contented.

5. Roman Catholic Church.,  beatified.

6. bringing happiness and thankfulness.

   How exciting that you’re expecting—when is the blessed event supposed to happen?

   The steady income gave them a blessed sense of security.

7. Informal.,  damned.

   I'm blessed if I know.

8. Informal.,  (used as an intensifier).

   That lawyer was worth every blessed cent we paid him.

noun

1. the blessed, those who have died and are believed to be experiencing happiness or bliss in heaven.

   Our beloved sister is now among the blessed.

verb

1. a simple past tense and past participle of bless.

blessed

/ blɛst, ˈblɛsɪd /

adjective

1. made holy by religious ceremony; consecrated

2. worthy of deep reverence or respect

3. RC Church (of a person) beatified by the pope

4. characterized by happiness or good fortune

   a blessed time

5. bringing great happiness or good fortune

6. a euphemistic word for damned

   I'm blessed if I know

noun

1. Christianity the dead who are already enjoying heavenly bliss

Other Word Forms

• blessedly adverb
• blessedness noun
• superblessed adjective
• superblessedness noun
• well-blessed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of blessed¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English; bless + -ed ²