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• blitz
  blitz

  noun
• Blitz
  Blitz

  noun

  the systematic night-time bombing of Britain in 1940–41 by the German Luftwaffe

blitz

American  

[blits] / blɪts /

noun

1. Military.

   1. an overwhelming all-out attack, especially a swift ground attack using armored units and air support.

   2. an intensive aerial bombing.

2. any swift, vigorous attack, barrage, or defeat.

   a blitz of commercials every few minutes.

3. Football. act or instance of charging directly for (the passer) as soon as the ball is snapped; red-dogging.

4. bingo.

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verb (used with object)

blitzes, present (3rd person singular) blitzed, past participle, past blitzing present participle

1. to attack or defeat with or as if with a blitz.

   The town was blitzed mercilessly by enemy planes. The visitors really blitzed the home team.

2. to destroy; demolish.

   His last-minute refusal blitzed all our plans.

verb (used without object)

blitzes, present (3rd person singular) blitzed, past participle, past blitzing present participle

1. Football. to charge directly and immediately at the passer; red-dog.

2. to move in the manner of a blitz.

   a car that will blitz through rough terrain.

blitz ¹ British  

/ blɪts /

noun

1. a violent and sustained attack, esp with intensive aerial bombardment

2. any sudden intensive attack or concerted effort

   an advertising blitz

   a drink-driving blitz

3. American football a defensive charge on the quarterback

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verb

1. (tr) to attack suddenly and intensively

Blitz ² British  

/ blɪts /

noun

1. the systematic night-time bombing of Britain in 1940–41 by the German Luftwaffe

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• blitzer
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have blitzed
  perfect
• has blitzed
  perfect 3rd person singular
• am blitzing
  progressive 1st person singular
• is blitzing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• have been blitzing
  perfect progressive
• are blitzing
  progressive
• has been blitzing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• blitzes
  singular 3rd person
• blitzing
  participle

Past

• had blitzed
  perfect
• were blitzing
  progressive plural
• had been blitzing
  perfect progressive
• was blitzing
  progressive singular
• blitzed
  simple
• blitzed
  participle

Future

• will blitz
  simple
• will have blitzed
  perfect
• will have been blitzing
  perfect progressive
• will be blitzing
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of blitz

First recorded in 1935–40; shortening of blitzkrieg

Explanation

A sudden, overwhelming military attack during war is a blitz. Sometimes a major blitz can lead to the end of a conflict. The idea of a blitz is that it either overpowers or completely surprises the enemy, and it often involves bombing from overhead. The military use of blitz has migrated to sports as well, especially in American football when the defense bursts through the offense or rushes the passer. Any kind of unexpected attack, in fact, has come to be known as a blitz. The word comes from the German Blitzkrieg, "rapid attack."

Related Words

• assault
• bombardment
• bombing
• offensive
• onslaught
• raid
• shelling