blossom

1 of 2

noun

blos·​som ˈblä-səm 

plural blossoms

1

a

: the flower of a flowering plant

apple blossoms

also : the mass of such flowers on a single plant

b

: the state of bearing flowers

plants in blossom

2

: a peak period or stage of development

… young women and men still in the blossom of life.

—Allen Best

blossomy

ˈblä-sə-mē 

adjective

a blossomy [=floral] aroma

An old gray house, surrounded by willows, in a blossomy brook valley …

—Lucy Maud Montgomery

blossom

2 of 2

verb

blossomed; blossoming; blossoms

intransitive verb

1

: bloom

2

a

: to come into one's own : develop

a blossoming talent

b

: to become evident

c

: to make an appearance

Synonyms

Noun

• bloom
• florescence
• floruit
• flower
• flush
• heyday
• high noon
• prime
• salad days
• springtime

Verb

• bloom
• blow
• burgeon
• bourgeon
• effloresce
• flower
• unfold

Examples of blossom in a Sentence

Noun

Her hair smelled of apple blossoms.

in the full blossom of her career as a writer

Verb

Their friendship blossomed into romance.

the fruit tree seemed to blossom overnight once the warm spring weather arrived

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Follow the steps in this guide to pruning your rose bush for healthy, vibrant blossoms in the following months. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2025

These accounts document observations on snowfall, the life cycles of wild and cultivated plants (such as the timing of grape harvests and cherry blossoms), fluctuations in grain prices, water level markers on buildings and stones, and artistic depictions of frozen or dried-up rivers. —Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025

Verb

By the wee hours of the morning, the gentle murmur had blossomed into a throaty roar. —New Atlas, 22 Feb. 2025

Since joining Nottingham Forest, Anderson’s career has blossomed. —Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English blosme, from Old English blōstm; akin to Old English blōwan

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

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

Rhymes for blossom

• awesome
• possum
• lysosome
• opossum
• odontoglossum

Kids Definition

blossom

1 of 2 noun

blos·​som ˈbläs-əm 

1

: the flower of a seed plant

apple blossoms

also : the mass of such flowers on a single plant

a light blossom on the rose bush

2

: bloom entry 1 sense 1b

3

: a peak period or stage of development

blossomy

-ə-mē 

adjective

blossom

2 of 2 verb

1

: bloom entry 2 sense 1

2

: to grow and do well

students who blossom in college