blossom

¹ American  

[blos-uhm] / ˈblɒs əm /

noun

Botany.

1. the flower of a plant, especially of one producing an edible fruit.

2. the state of flowering.

   The apple tree is in blossom.

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verb (used without object)

1. Botany. to produce or yield blossoms.

2. to flourish; develop (often followed by into orout ).

   a writer of commercial jingles who blossomed out into an important composer.

   Synonyms:

   sprout, burgeon, bloom, thrive

3. (of a parachute) to open.

Blossom ² American  

[blos-uhm] / ˈblɒs əm /

noun

1. a first name.

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blossom British  

/ ˈblɒsəm /

noun

1. the flower or flowers of a plant, esp conspicuous flowers producing edible fruit

2. the time or period of flowering (esp in the phrases in blossom, in full blossom )

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verb

1. (of plants) to come into flower

2. to develop or come to a promising stage

   youth had blossomed into maturity

Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• blossoming noun
• blossomless adjective
• blossomy adjective
• outblossom verb (used with object)
• reblossom verb (used without object)
• unblossomed adjective
• unblossoming adjective

Etymology

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; bloom ¹, blow ³

Example Sentences

While men made the rules for Rochester’s newfound wealth, their wives created the city’s blossoming society.

From Literature

The friendship that Duane had so hoped would blossom between the two of them had not yet progressed beyond occasional hellos.

From Literature

Her long hair was flying and her eyes were as bright as morning glory blossoms.

From Literature

Finally, I came to a little cottage with flowers blossoming along the hedge and a stone path that led to a door painted bright red.

From Literature

Though boomers’ financial well-being blossomed over the decades, their children did not necessarily benefit as a result.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• bloom
• develop
• grow
• mature
• prosper
• succeed
• thrive