blessing
BLEHS-ihng
Blessing (noun) means a prayer or ritual act asking for divine favour or protection. Example: “Before the meal, the grandmother said a blessing over the whole family.”
noun
1
A prayer or ritual act asking for divine favour or protection.
"Before the meal, the grandmother said a blessing over the whole family."
"The villagers asked for a blessing on the boats before they sailed."
"The priest gave his blessing to the new building."
2
Something that brings unexpected good fortune.
"Having a kind neighbour who watches the house is a real blessing."
"Rain on the day of the picnic was a blessing, since the heat had been awful."
"Losing that job turned out to be a blessing in disguise."
3
Formal approval or support for a plan or decision.
"She married only after her parents gave their blessing to the engagement."
"We can start building once the council gives its blessing."
"The project finally got the manager's blessing."
How to use blessing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA prayer for good fortune, a piece of good luck, or formal approval.
Common pairings
a blessing in disguise
give your blessing
count your blessings
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Word forms
- Plural
- blessings
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Before the meal, the grandmother said a _____ over the whole family.
Etymology
From Old English "blētsung," formed from "bless" plus "-ing."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for blessing
Messing
Lessing
dressing
pressing
guessing
assessing
caressing
processing
expressing
addressing
depressing
witnessing
See all 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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