blush

American  

[bluhsh] / blʌʃ /

verb (used without object)

blushes, present (3rd person singular) blushed, past participle, past blushing present participle

1. to redden, as from self-consciousness, embarrassment, or shame.

   He blushed when they called him a conquering hero.

   Synonyms:

   color, flush

   Antonyms:

   blanch, pale

2. to feel shame or embarrassment (often followed by at orfor ).

   Your behavior makes me blush for your poor mother.

3. (of the sky, flowers, etc.) to become rosy.

4. (of house paint or lacquer) to become cloudy or dull through moisture or excessive evaporation of solvents.

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verb (used with object)

blushes, present (3rd person singular) blushed, past participle, past blushing present participle

1. to make red; flush.

2. to make known by a blush.

   She could not help blushing the truth.

noun

1. a reddening, as of the face.

2. rosy or pinkish tinge.

3. Also called blush-on.  Also called blusher,.  a cosmetic used to add a pink or reddish color to the cheeks.

4. Also called blush wine.  rosé.

idioms

1. at first blush, without previous knowledge or adequate consideration; at first glance.

   At first blush, the solution to the problem seemed simple enough.

blush British  

/ blʌʃ /

verb

1. (intr) to become suddenly red in the face from embarrassment, shame, modesty, or guilt; redden

2. to make or become reddish or rosy

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noun

1. a sudden reddening of the face from embarrassment, shame, modesty, or guilt

2. a rosy glow

   the blush of a peach

3. a reddish or pinkish tinge

4. a cloudy area on the surface of freshly applied gloss paint

5. when first seen; as a first impression

blush More Idioms  

1. see at first blush.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• blushful
  adjective
• blushfulness
  noun
• blushing
  noun
• outblush
  verb (used with object)
• blushingly
  adverb
• blushless
  adjective
• blushfully
  adverb

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has blushed
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have blushed
  perfect
• has been blushing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am blushing
  progressive 1st person singular
• is blushing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• have been blushing
  perfect progressive
• blushes
  singular 3rd person
• are blushing
  progressive
• blushing
  participle

Past

• had blushed
  perfect
• was blushing
  progressive singular
• had been blushing
  perfect progressive
• blushed
  simple
• blushed
  participle
• were blushing
  progressive plural

Future

• will blush
  simple
• will have blushed
  perfect
• will have been blushing
  perfect progressive
• will be blushing
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of blush

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English verb blushen, blyshen “to glow,” probably from Old English blyscan “to glow brightly, glow red”; akin to Old English blysa, blisa, Old Norse blys, Middle Low German blus “torch,” bloschen “to blaze”; noun derived from the verb

Explanation

When you blush, you turn red because you are embarrassed. And, oddly enough, women wear the make-up variety of blush to add color to their cheeks — not to appear embarrassed but to appear attractive. Women use a type of makeup called blush to add redness to their cheeks. That can help you remember the other meanings of this word, which all relate to redness or rosiness. When you have a blush — or are blushing — your face gets red. People blush when they’re embarrassed. Having a crush can cause blushing; so can getting caught stealing something. Blushing is caused by blood rushing to the head: thus, the color red.

Example Sentences

The auction also features several of Monroe's personal make-up products, including lipsticks, blush and eyeliner pencil, which the auction company noted has continued to captivate people on TikTok hoping to recreate Monroe's look.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

As logical as this might seem at first blush, it could ultimately prove to be misguided, according to one top Wall Street strategist.

From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026

This may seem like a paradox at first blush.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

When Nelson introduced Jeffrey at the recent “Secret Somewhere” show, the things he said about Jeffrey made the performer blush.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

I kissed them once, making Henek push me away and Max blush, both of which made me laugh.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron