bless
blehs
Bless (verb) means to ask for divine favour or protection for someone or something. Example: “May God bless you and keep you safe on your journey.”
verb
1
To ask for divine favour or protection for someone or something.
"May God bless you and keep you safe on your journey."
"The priest blessed the newlyweds at the end of the ceremony."
"She blessed the food before the family began eating."
intj
1
Used affectionately, gratefully, or (sometimes ironically) about someone.
"Bless her, she stayed up all night to finish the cake."
"Oh, bless, the puppy fell asleep in his own food bowl."
"Bless him, he tried his best even though it didn't work out."
How to use bless
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo call for divine favour or protection over someone or something; also used as a warm (or gently mocking) exclamation.
Common pairings
bless you
God bless
bless his heart
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- blesses
- Past tense
- blest, blessed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
May God _____ you and keep you safe on your journey.
Etymology
From Old English "bletsian," originally meaning to sanctify with blood in a religious rite — related to the word "blood" itself.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for bless
See all rhymes for bless →Frequently asked questions
What does “bless” mean?
The word “bless” means to ask for divine favour or protection for someone or something. In plain terms, to call for divine favour or protection over someone or something; also used as a warm (or gently mocking) exclamation.
How do you pronounce “bless”?
“Bless” is pronounced blehs (/blɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “bless” in a sentence?
Here is “bless” used in a sentence: “The priest blessed the newlyweds at the end of the ceremony.”
What is the opposite of “bless”?
The opposite of “bless” — its antonyms — are curse, condemn and unbless.
What part of speech is “bless”?
Depending on how it is used, “bless” can be a verb and an intj.
Where does the word “bless” come from?
The word “bless” comes from Old English. From Old English "bletsian," originally meaning to sanctify with blood in a religious rite — related to the word "blood" itself.
Is “bless” a common word?
“Bless” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “bless” have?
“Bless” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to ask for divine favour or protection for someone or something.
What is the difference between 'bless' and 'curse'?
To bless someone is to ask for divine favour or protection over them, expressing goodwill. To curse someone is the direct opposite: wishing harm or misfortune on them. Blessing conveys protection and kindness, while cursing conveys ill will.
Why do people say 'bless you' when someone sneezes?
'Bless you' is a set expression of goodwill said after a sneeze, drawing on the sense of 'bless' meaning to wish someone divine favour or protection. Today most speakers use it simply as a polite reflex rather than a religious statement.
Is 'bless' a religious word?
'Bless' has religious roots in its main sense of asking for divine favour or protection, and it is common in prayer and worship. However, it is also widely used in everyday, non-religious ways, such as an affectionate or grateful interjection like 'bless you' or 'bless them'.
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