Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

blessing

American  
[bles-ing] / ˈblɛs ɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act or words of a person who blesses.

  2. a special favor, mercy, or benefit.

    the blessings of liberty.
    Synonyms:
    bounty, profit, gain, boon, advantage

  3. a favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness.

  4. the invoking of God's favor upon a person.

    The son was denied his father's blessing.

  5. praise; devotion; worship, especially grace said before a meal.

    The children took turns reciting the blessing.

  6. approval or good wishes.

    The proposed law had the blessing of the governor.
blessing British  
/ ˈblɛsɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act of invoking divine protection or aid

  2. the words or ceremony used for this

  3. a short prayer of thanksgiving before or after a meal; grace

  4. Also called: brachah.   brocho.  Judaism

    1. a short prayer prescribed for a specific occasion and beginning "Blessed art thou, O Lord…"

    2. a section of the liturgy including a similar formula

  5. approval; good wishes

    her father gave his blessing to the marriage

  6. the bestowal of a divine gift or favour

  7. a happy event or state of affairs

    a blessing in disguise
"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
blessing Idioms  

    More idioms and phrases containing blessing

Etymology

Origin of blessing

First recorded before 900; Middle English blessinge, blessunge, Old English bletsung, bledsung; equivalent to bless + -ing 1

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.

Gulf officials said the U.A.E. believes countries in Asia and Europe that are reluctant now would help clear the strait with the blessing of the U.N.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

"It could only do this with Saudi blessing," Nawaz, author of "The Battle for Pakistan: The Bitter US Friendship and a Tough Neighbourhood", told AFP.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

This is a blessing for the author, but it requires a commitment from the reader.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

But Dana warns anyone running against Rodríguez will need Washington's blessing.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Countless tufts of floaty fluff drifted in the air and water around me like downy little showers of blessing.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.