noun
C1
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blister
BLIHS-tuh
Blister (noun) means a small, fluid-filled bubble that forms under the skin, usually from friction, heat, or irritation. Example: “New boots gave her a painful blister on her heel.”
noun
1
A small, fluid-filled bubble that forms under the skin, usually from friction, heat, or irritation.
"New boots gave her a painful blister on her heel."
"The burn left a large blister on his forearm."
2
A bubble or raised patch on a surface such as paint or plastic.
"Damp had caused blisters to form on the ceiling paint."
verb
1
To develop blisters, or to cause them to form.
"Her hands blistered after a day of rowing."
2
To criticise someone harshly.
"The coach blistered the team for their sloppy defending."
How to use blister
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA painful skin bubble caused by rubbing or heat — or, informally, a harsh telling-off.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a blister forms
blister pack
blister the paintwork
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Word forms
- Plural
- blisters
- Third person singular
- blisters
- Past tense
- blistered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
New boots gave her a painful _____ on her heel.
Etymology
From Old French blestre, tracing back to a Germanic word for a swelling.
Related words
Rhymes for blister
See all rhymes for blister →Frequently asked questions
What does “blister” mean?
The word “blister” means a small, fluid-filled bubble that forms under the skin, usually from friction, heat, or irritation. In plain terms, a painful skin bubble caused by rubbing or heat — or, informally, a harsh telling-off.
How do you pronounce “blister”?
“Blister” is pronounced BLIHS-tuh (/ˈblɪstɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “blister” in a sentence?
Here is “blister” used in a sentence: “New boots gave her a painful blister on her heel.”
What is another word for “blister”?
Words with a similar meaning to “blister” include bleb, blain and vesicate.
What part of speech is “blister”?
Depending on how it is used, “blister” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “blister” come from?
The word “blister” comes from Old French. From Old French blestre, tracing back to a Germanic word for a swelling.
How many meanings does “blister” have?
“Blister” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, fluid-filled bubble that forms under the skin, usually from friction, heat, or irritation.
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