bless

[ bles ]

verb (used with object)

, blessed or blest, bless·ing.

1. to consecrate or sanctify by a religious rite; make or pronounce holy.

   Synonyms: beatify, magnify, glorify, hallow, exalt

2. to request of God the bestowal of divine favor on:

   Bless this house.

3. to bestow good of any kind upon:

   a nation blessed with peace.

4. to extol as holy; glorify:

   Bless the name of the Lord.

5. to protect or guard from evil (usually used as an interjection):

   Bless you! Bless your innocent little heart!

6. to condemn or curse:

   I'll be blessed if I can see your reasoning. Bless me if it isn't my old friend!

7. to make the sign of the cross over or upon:

   The Pope blessed the multitude.

bless

/ blɛs /

verb

1. to consecrate or render holy, beneficial, or prosperous by means of a religious rite
2. to give honour or glory to (a person or thing) as divine or holy
3. to call upon God to protect; give a benediction to
4. to worship or adore (God); call or hold holy
5. often passive to grant happiness, health, or prosperity to

   they were blessed with perfect peace

6. usually passive to endow with a talent, beauty, etc

   she was blessed with an even temper

7. rare.
   to protect against evil or harm
8. bless!
   interjection an exclamation of well-wishing
9. bless you!
   interjection
   1. a traditional phrase said to a person who has just sneezed
   2. an exclamation of well-wishing or surprise
10. bless me! or bless my soul! or God bless my soul!
    interjection an exclamation of surprise
11. not have a penny to bless oneself with
    to be desperately poor

Other Words From

• blesser noun
• blessing·ly adverb
• outbless verb (used with object) outblessed or outblest outblessing
• pre·bless verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of bless¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English blessen, Old English blētsian, blēdsian “to consecrate” (originally done with blood), earlier *blōdisōian ( blōd “blood” + -isō- derivational suffix + -ian verb suffix); blood

Word History and Origins

Origin of bless¹

Old English blǣdsian to sprinkle with sacrificial blood; related to blōd blood

Example Sentences

There was even later clarification to African Churches that the blessing prayers that were voted through were to bless the individuals in the same-sex union and not bless the union itself.

From BBC

"It will all end this year. May God bless the VDP," shouts another.

From BBC

GameStop chief and meme-stock lord Ryan Cohen wrote, “God bless America!” and followed it up crudely with, “It’s cool to be a white guy again.”

From Slate

Lady Gaga performed a soulful version of “God Bless America” and spoke about empowering women, revving up the crowd.

From Los Angeles Times

He kept his garbageman costume on during a rally in Green Bay, leading to an incredible scene in which Trump swayed to Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A." while wearing the outfit over his button-down and tie.

From Salon

Related Words

• anoint
• baptize
• consecrate
• ordain
• thank