blessing
Blessing (noun) means a prayer or ritual act asking for divine favour or protection. Example: “The priest gave his blessing to the new building.”
How to use blessing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA prayer for good fortune, a piece of good luck, or formal approval.
Word forms
blessings plural, Blessings plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The priest gave his _____ to the new building.
Etymology
From Old English "blētsung," formed from "bless" plus "-ing."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for blessing
Frequently asked questions
What does “blessing” mean?
The word “blessing” means a prayer or ritual act asking for divine favour or protection. In plain terms, a prayer for good fortune, a piece of good luck, or formal approval.
How do you pronounce “blessing”?
“Blessing” is pronounced BLEHS-ihng (/ˈblɛs.ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “blessing” in a sentence?
Here is “blessing” used in a sentence: “The priest gave his blessing to the new building.”
What is the opposite of “blessing”?
The opposite of “blessing” — its antonyms — is curse.
What part of speech is “blessing”?
“Blessing” is a noun.
Where does the word “blessing” come from?
The word “blessing” comes from Old English. From Old English "blētsung," formed from "bless" plus "-ing.".
Is “blessing” a common word?
“Blessing” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “blessing” have?
“Blessing” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a prayer or ritual act asking for divine favour or protection.
What is the difference between a blessing and a prayer?
A prayer is any words addressed to God or a deity, whether of thanks, praise, request, or confession. A blessing is a specific kind of prayer or ritual act that asks for divine favour or protection, typically spoken over a person, a meal, or an object.
What is a mixed blessing?
A mixed blessing is something that brings good fortune and drawbacks at the same time. A promotion that raises your pay but doubles your workload is a mixed blessing.
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