bless

[ bles ]

/ blɛs /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: bless / blessed / blesses / blessing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), blessed or blest, bless·ing.

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

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR bless

1 exalt, hallow, glorify, magnify, beatify.

See synonyms for bless on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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); see blood

OTHER WORDS FROM bless

blesser, nounbless·ing·ly, adverboutbless, verb (used with object), out·blessed or out·blest, out·bles·sing.pre·bless, verb (used with object)

Words nearby bless

blepharotomy, Blériot, blert, blesbok, blesbuck, bless, blessed, blessed event, Blessed Sacrament, Blessed Virgin, Blessig's cysts

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use bless in a sentence

We’re blessed to live in countries where we can be who we are and yet we know that there are individual cases around the world, individual countries that deny just basic human rights.
Grenell defends progress in global initiative to decriminalize homosexuality|Chris Johnson|September 23, 2020|Washington Blade
It’s like, songs like that makes me realize how I’ve been a wretch, and yet God will bless me.
Loving, and Losing, With Cory Booker|Nick Fouriezos|September 22, 2020|Ozy
That’s when a country seemingly blessed with valuable natural resources ultimately suffers because it fails to diversify their economy.
Does Anyone Really Know What Socialism Is? (Ep. 408 Rebroadcast)|Stephen J. Dubner|September 17, 2020|Freakonomics
I was blessed enough to get this opportunity at a very young age, but I’ve taken every opportunity that’s come my way.
Full Transcript: Tomi Lahren on ‘The Carlos Watson Show’|Daniel Malloy|August 31, 2020|Ozy

In 1923, San Diego adopted its first zoning ordinance – six years after the Supreme Court outlawed racial districts, and three years before the court blessed the basic structure of zoning we know today.
Single-Family Zoning’s Century of Supremacy in San Diego|Andrew Keatts|August 26, 2020|Voice of San Diego
The ceremony ended with a singing of “God Bless America,” with some of those in the stands as well as de Blasio singing along.
Cop Families Boo De Blasio at NYPD Graduation|Michael Daly|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
West Virginia, God bless it, is still a little bit different!
Seriously, Democrats: You’re Done in Dixie|Michael Tomasky|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Beth, bless her, later asks Joan what Gorman has done to her.
The Walking Dead’s ‘Slabtown’: The Real Source of Terror Isn’t Walkers, It’s Rape|Melissa Leon|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I think Richard Kiel did, God bless him, but according to Rob, there was really only one person who could play the role.
Cary Elwes, aka Westley, Shares Inconceivable Tales From the Making of ‘The Princess Bride’|Marlow Stern|September 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On the one hand it can bless you with exceptional land for growing grapes.
Napa’s Earthquake Is Not The Only Thing Shaking The Vineyards|Clive Irving|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"God bless 'ee, Missy," cried the old man in the shrill cracked voice of age, as he pressed up to the carriage window.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Gilbert's "O shame, father," and Mrs. Rushmere's "God bless the dear child," following her hasty retreat.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie
“God bless thee, little David,” said the country folk, crowding to shake his hand as he was conveyed back to London for his trial.
The Portsmouth Road and Its Tributaries|Charles G. Harper
Put your hands together as you do when you’re saying your prayers, mon brave, and say, ‘God bless father and mother.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
I have earnestly prayed that what I am about to say may bear fruit and I know that you will bless my word with a similar prayer.
Third class in Indian railways|Mahatma Gandhi

British Dictionary definitions for bless

bless

/ (blɛs) /

verb blesses, blessing, blessed or blest (tr)

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 tothey were blessed with perfect peace

(usually passive) to endow with a talent, beauty, etcshe was blessed with an even temper

rare to protect against evil or harm

bless! (interjection) an exclamation of well-wishing

bless you! (interjection)

a traditional phrase said to a person who has just sneezed
an exclamation of well-wishing or surprise

bless me!, bless my soul! or God bless my soul! (interjection) an exclamation of surprise

not have a penny to bless oneself with to be desperately poor

Word Origin for bless

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

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

bless

OTHER WORDS FOR bless

Origin of bless

OTHER WORDS FROM bless

Words nearby bless

Words related to bless

How to use bless in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bless

Word Origin for bless