blow
23 synonyms and 0 antonyms for blow, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To produce a current of air, especially by expelling breath through the mouth.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use blow
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English blawan ("to blow, breathe, sound"), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning to swell or blow up — related to Latin flo, "to blow."
Full origin of blow →Frequently asked questions
What does “blow” mean?
The word “blow” means to produce a current of air, especially by expelling breath through the mouth. In plain terms, to move air with force, to explode, to waste something, or (as a noun) a hit or a setback.
How do you pronounce “blow”?
“Blow” is pronounced bloh (/bloʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “blow” in a sentence?
Here is “blow” used in a sentence: “A cold wind was blowing across the fields.”
What part of speech is “blow”?
Depending on how it is used, “blow” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “blow” come from?
The word “blow” comes from Latin. From Old English blawan ("to blow, breathe, sound"), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning to swell or blow up — related to Latin flo, "to blow.".
Is “blow” a common word?
“Blow” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “blow” have?
“Blow” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to produce a current of air, especially by expelling breath through the mouth.
What is the past tense of blow?
Blow is an irregular verb. Its simple past tense is 'blew,' as in 'the wind blew all night,' while the past participle is 'blown,' as in 'the roof had blown off.' Because these forms do not follow the regular '-ed' pattern, they are among the most commonly looked-up English verb forms.
What are the different meanings of blow?
Beyond producing a current of air, 'blow' carries many senses. It can mean to move air forcefully (the wind blows), to shape by air (blow glass), to sound an instrument (blow a whistle), to waste money, or to ruin an opportunity. As a noun it also means a hard hit or a sudden setback.
Does 'blow' always involve the mouth?
No. While blowing often means expelling breath, as when you blow out candles, the word also describes any strong movement of air. The wind blows, a fan blows cool air, and a storm can blow a door open. In each case something produces or is moved by a current of air.
What is an example of blow in a sentence?
You might say, 'She leaned over the cake to blow out the candles,' or 'Blow on your soup to cool it down.' Both show the core meaning of pushing air from the mouth. Weather uses it too: 'A cold wind began to blow across the open field,' describing moving air rather than breath.