blooming

[ bloo-ming ]

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.

adverb

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

   not blooming likely.

blooming

/ ˈbluːmɪŋ /

adverb

1. informal.
   (intensifier)

   blooming painful

   a blooming genius

Other Words From

• blooming·ly adverb
• blooming·ness noun
• non·blooming adjective noun
• pre·blooming adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of blooming¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of blooming¹

C19: euphemistic for bloody

Example Sentences

"This was the first time I realized what an enormous task it was to take a piece of desolated desert and turn it into a blooming oasis," Zer writes.

From Salon

The film opens with our feline encountering a pack of overzealous canines in the blooming forest before napping in a seemingly abandoned Northern European-inspired home.

From Los Angeles Times

His advice to blooming artists who want to follow in his footsteps is to "always think of new ways of getting your content out there. Always be on the ball".

From BBC

But those who really know L.A. can tell you it’s a pleasure to stroll through, replete with blooming bougainvillea, rich history and street vendors and shops.

From Los Angeles Times

“It is thrilling to hike through the preserve with over 150 native plants and animals. Birds and other pollinators flock to salvia, buckwheat and yarrow. The dramatic silver-leafed Dudleya were blooming gloriously.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• budding
• flourishing