blooming

American  

[bloo-ming] / ˈblu mɪŋ /

adjective

1. in bloom; flowering; blossoming.

2. glowing, as with youthful vigor and freshness.

   blooming cheeks.

3. flourishing; prospering.

   a blooming business.

4. Chiefly British Slang. (used as an intensifier).

   He's got his blooming nerve.

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adverb

1. Chiefly British Slang. (used as an intensifier).

   not blooming likely.

blooming British  

/ ˈbluːmɪŋ /

adverb

1. informal (intensifier)

   a blooming genius

   blooming painful

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Other Word Forms

• bloomingly adverb
• bloomingness noun
• nonblooming adjective
• preblooming adjective

Etymology

Origin of blooming

1350–1400; Middle English; bloom ¹, -ing ²; as intensifier, a euphemism for bloody, by phonetic similarity

Example Sentences

It was pretty around Daisy’s playhouse; especially, in the early spring when the dogwoods, redbuds, and mountain flowers were blooming.

From Literature

Let them soften slowly, blooming until fragrant and slightly sweet, their edges translucent and relaxed.

From Salon

The arrows became flowers blooming on twisting vines.

From Literature

Mom always said the awnings made the camper look cheerful, “like a clump of buttercups, blooming outside our windows.”

From Literature

Mrs. Pritchard, dead-on perfect to the flowers blooming on her dress, was hanging laundry.

From Literature

Related Words

• budding
• flourishing