blessing

[ bles-ing ]

noun

1. the act or words of a person who blesses.
2. a special favor, mercy, or benefit:

   the blessings of liberty.

   Synonyms: bounty, profit, gain, boon, advantage

3. a favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness.
4. the invoking of God's favor upon a person:

   The son was denied his father's blessing.

5. praise; devotion; worship, especially grace said before a meal:

   The children took turns reciting the blessing.

6. approval or good wishes:

   The proposed law had the blessing of the governor.

blessing

/ ˈblɛsɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of invoking divine protection or aid
2. the words or ceremony used for this
3. a short prayer of thanksgiving before or after a meal; grace
4. Also calledbrachahbrocho Judaism
   1. a short prayer prescribed for a specific occasion and beginning "Blessed art thou, O Lord…"
   2. a section of the liturgy including a similar formula
5. approval; good wishes

   her father gave his blessing to the marriage

6. the bestowal of a divine gift or favour
7. a happy event or state of affairs

   a blessing in disguise

Word History and Origins

Origin of blessing¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English blessinge, blessunge, Old English bletsung, bledsung; equivalent to bless + -ing ¹

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with blessing , also see give thanks for small blessings ; mixed blessing .

Example Sentences

"It was just another Monday night for them. In fact, my dad invited my mum to come too but at the last minute she decided not to go. It was a blessing in disguise."

From BBC

“It’s a great blessing to just be alive with that guy,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

The Pope, 88, was discharged from hospital in Rome on 23 March and appeared at his window then to offer a blessing.

From BBC

I still have that working actor mentality where any job is a great blessing, but I also love the idea of branching out.

From Salon

“I know I got blessed,” he said, “so now it’s time for me to start blessing other people.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• asset
• boon
• gift
• good fortune
• good luck
• kindness
• miracle