blitz
blihts
Blitz (verb) means to attack suddenly and with great force, or to complete a task very quickly and intensively. Example: “The city was blitzed by enemy bombers.”
verb
1
To attack suddenly and with great force, or to complete a task very quickly and intensively.
"The city was blitzed by enemy bombers."
"We blitzed the whole house before the guests arrived."
noun
1
A sudden, intense attack or burst of concentrated effort.
"The company launched an advertising blitz ahead of the launch."
How to use blitz
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sudden, intense attack, or an intense, fast burst of effort to get something done quickly.
Common pairings
advertising blitz
blitz the cleaning
aerial blitz
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- blitzes
- Past tense
- blitzed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The city was _____ by enemy bombers.
Etymology
Shortened from blitzkrieg, German for "lightning war," first used of World War II bombing raids.
Related words
Rhymes for blitz
See all rhymes for blitz →Frequently asked questions
What does “blitz” mean?
The word “blitz” means to attack suddenly and with great force, or to complete a task very quickly and intensively. In plain terms, a sudden, intense attack, or an intense, fast burst of effort to get something done quickly.
How do you pronounce “blitz”?
“Blitz” is pronounced blihts (/blɪts/ in IPA).
How do you use “blitz” in a sentence?
Here is “blitz” used in a sentence: “The city was blitzed by enemy bombers.”
What part of speech is “blitz”?
Depending on how it is used, “blitz” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “blitz” come from?
The word “blitz” comes from German. Shortened from blitzkrieg, German for "lightning war," first used of World War II bombing raids.
Is “blitz” a common word?
“Blitz” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “blitz” have?
“Blitz” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to attack suddenly and with great force, or to complete a task very quickly and intensively.
What is the difference between a "blitz" and a "blitzkrieg"?
"Blitz" is the shorter, more general word for a sudden, intense attack or burst of concentrated effort, while "blitzkrieg" specifically denotes a fast, coordinated military offensive combining speed and force. In everyday English, "blitz" is used far more broadly, including non-military contexts like a cleaning blitz or marketing blitz.
How is "blitz" used outside of warfare?
"Blitz" is commonly used as a verb or noun to describe completing a task very quickly and intensively, such as doing a "cleaning blitz" of a house or a company launching an "advertising blitz." This figurative use keeps the sense of speed and concentrated effort without any military meaning.
Is "blitz" a formal or informal word?
"Blitz" is informal and conversational, common in everyday speech, journalism, and marketing, but not typically used in formal or technical writing. It works well for emphasizing speed and intensity in a casual tone.
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