verb
Common
Blew
Blew (verb) means past tense of "blow.". Example: “The wind blew hard all afternoon.”
verb
1
Past tense of "blow."
"The wind blew hard all afternoon."
"He blew out the candles on his cake."
How to use Blew
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe past-tense form of "blow," used for wind, breath, or (informally) messing something up.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
blew it
the wind blew
blew up
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Word forms
- Plural
- Blews
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The wind _____ hard all afternoon.
Etymology
Comes from Middle English blew, from Old English blēow, from Proto-West Germanic *blē.
Rhymes for Blew
See all rhymes for Blew →Frequently asked questions
What does “Blew” mean?
The word “Blew” means past tense of "blow.". In plain terms, the past-tense form of "blow," used for wind, breath, or (informally) messing something up.
How do you use “Blew” in a sentence?
Here is “Blew” used in a sentence: “The wind blew hard all afternoon.”
What part of speech is “Blew”?
“Blew” is a verb.
Is “Blew” a common word?
“Blew” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "blew" and "blown"?
"Blew" is the simple past tense of "blow" and is used on its own, as in "the wind blew hard." "Blown" is the past participle and needs a helping verb, as in "the wind has blown" or "the tyre was blown out."
What is the difference between "blew" and "blue"?
"Blew" and "blue" are homophones — they sound the same but differ in meaning. "Blew" is the past tense of the verb "blow," while "blue" is the colour or, informally, a feeling of sadness.
When should you use "blew" instead of "blow"?
Use "blew" when describing an action that already happened, as in "she blew out the candles." Use "blow" for the present or base form, as in "blow out the candles" or "winds blow from the west."
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