bless

verb

blessed ˈblest How to pronounce bless (audio) also blest ˈblest How to pronounce bless (audio) ; blessing

transitive verb

1
religion : to hallow or consecrate by religious rite or word
asked the priest to bless their marriage
Bless this home.
2
religion : to hallow with the sign of the cross
He blessed himself before liftoff.
3
: to invoke divine care for
bless your heart
used in the phrase bless you to wish good health especially to one who has just sneezed
4
a
: praise, glorify
bless his holy name
b
: to speak well of : approve
5
: to confer prosperity or happiness upon
God has blessed us with four children.
6
archaic : protect, preserve
Bless me from marrying a usurer!Shakespeare
7
: endow, favor
blessed with athletic ability

Examples of bless in a Sentence

The priest blessed their marriage at the wedding. The water for the baptism has been blessed. The priest blessed the baby I held in my arms.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
May God continue to bless her in good health, love and joy! Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024 After blessing the holy water, the archbishop will sprinkle it over the congregation and then the altar. Christian Edwards, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024 Newer directors — and there are some that are geniuses out of the box, God bless them — but some of them want to control it too much. Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024 Fast forward nearly two decades, and I’ve since been blessed with both acne and wrinkles. Katie McBroom, WWD, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bless 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English blētsian, from blōd blood; from the use of blood in consecration

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bless was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near bless

Cite this Entry

“Bless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bless. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

bless

verb
blessed ˈblest How to pronounce bless (audio) also blest ˈblest How to pronounce bless (audio) ; blessing
1
: to make holy : hallow
2
: to make the sign of the cross upon or over
3
: to ask divine care or protection for
4
: to praise or honor as holy
5
: to make successful or happy
6
Etymology

Old English blētsian, blēdsian "to bless, to consecrate (originally with blood)," derived from blōd "blood"

More from Merriam-Webster on bless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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