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

"Chaz has granted his blessing for this usage. In the next volume, at the appropriate point, I will refer to my son as Chaz."

From Salon

"I would have liked children. I was never blessed that way, but my last ability to have children was taken away due to cancer."

From BBC

"Then you feel you're still very, very blessed because you do have a baby in your life."

From BBC

Ms Stuart, 71, added that while growing up she had no idea her childhood was blessed with the material surroundings and "special individuals...our parents".

From BBC

“Even now when I remember him the grief is such that it’s only with God's blessing that I survive the torment,” he says.

From BBC

Related Words

• anoint
• baptize
• consecrate
• ordain
• thank