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blossom

[ blos-uhm ]
/ ˈblɒs əm /
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noun Botany.
the flower of a plant, especially of one producing an edible fruit.
the state of flowering: The apple tree is in blossom.
verb (used without object)
Botany. to produce or yield blossoms.
to flourish; develop (often followed by into or out): a writer of commercial jingles who blossomed out into an important composer.
(of a parachute) to open.

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Origin of blossom

First recorded before 900; Middle English noun blosme, blossem, Old English blōstm(a), blōsma “flower”; cognate with Middle Dutch bloesem, Middle Low German blosem, blossem; see bloom1, blow3

OTHER WORDS FROM blossom

Other definitions for blossom (2 of 2)

Blossom
[ blos-uhm ]
/ ˈblɒs əm /

noun
a female given name.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT BLOSSOM

What does blossom mean?

In botany, a blossom is the flower of a plant, normally in its early stages and often referring to a flower that becomes edible fruit, such as apple and cherry blossoms.

In botanical terms, a blossom  is a flower that is attached to an edible fruit, such as a tomato blossom, or plant that is known for a product that is not the flower, like a cactus.

Blossom also refers to the state of flowering, as in Washington, DC, looks lovely when all the cherry trees are in blossom.

To blossom means to produce blossoms. When a plant is blossoming, it has produced flower buds that are in the process of producing petals and opening.

Figuratively, to blossom means to flourish or to begin to succeed or develop. If someone tells you that you are blossoming into a good student, they mean you are getting better at your schoolwork or completing your schoolwork.

Example: The cherry blossoms unfolding are always the best part of April.

Where does blossom come from?

The first records of the term blossom come from before the 900s. It ultimately comes from the Old English blōstma, meaning “flower.”

Blossoming can refer to anything that opens up similarly to how a flower unfolds. For example, parachutes are said to blossom, especially those that are wide or circular with folds that blossom like a flower as they rise into the sky. Butterflies are often said to blossom out of their cocoons and unfold their wings as a flower would blossom from a bud and unfold its petals.

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What are some other forms related to blossom?

  • blossomless (adjective)
  • blossomy (adjective)
  • outblossom (verb)
  • reblossom (verb)
  • unblossomed (adjective)

What are some synonyms for blossom?

What are some words that share a root or word element with blossom?

What are some words that often get used in discussing blossom?

How is blossom used in real life?

Blossom is most often used when referring to part of a flowering plant but is also used to refer to figurative blossoming.

Try using blossom!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for blossom?

A. bloom
B. burgeon
C. unfold
D. shrink

How to use blossom in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for blossom

blossom
/ (ˈblɒsəm) /

noun
the flower or flowers of a plant, esp conspicuous flowers producing edible fruit
the time or period of flowering (esp in the phrases in blossom, in full blossom)
verb (intr)
(of plants) to come into flower
to develop or come to a promising stageyouth had blossomed into maturity

Derived forms of blossom

blossoming, noun, adjectiveblossomless, adjectiveblossomy, adjective

Word Origin for blossom

Old English blōstm; related to Middle Low German blōsem, Latin flōs flower
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
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