blush

1 of 2

noun

ˈbləsh 

1

: outward appearance : view

at first blush

2

: a reddening of the face especially from shame, modesty, or confusion

3

: a red or rosy tint

4

: a cosmetic applied to the face to give a usually pink color or to accent the cheekbones

blushful

ˈbləsh-fəl 

adjective

blush

2 of 2

verb

blushed; blushing; blushes

intransitive verb

1

: to become red in the face especially from shame, modesty, or confusion

2

: to feel shame or embarrassment

3

: to have a rosy or fresh color : bloom

Synonyms

Noun

• bloom
• color
• flush

Verb

• bloom
• color
• crimson
• flush
• glow
• redden

Examples of blush in a Sentence

Noun

The comment brought a blush to her cheeks.

The fruit is yellow, with a blush of pink.

She put on a little lipstick and blush.

Verb

He blushed at the compliment.

I blush to admit it, but you've caught me in an error.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Her makeup, done by artist Kevin Luong, included a pop of pink blush, shimmery champagne eye shadow and brown lip liner. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 10 Dec. 2024

As for color, any blush in a brown or deep brick shade will do. —Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 10 Dec. 2024

Verb

The star's beloved curtain bangs were present and accounted for, of course, as was her often-imitated, Tiktok-viral flushed, blushed baby pink cheek. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 6 Dec. 2024

The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit is a classic choice, available in five festive limited-edition designs—like the lotus flower motif here—and six different powder pigments to choose from for highlighting, blushing, and contouring. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, probably from blusshen

Verb

Middle English blusshen, from Old English blyscan to redden; akin to Old English blȳsa flame, Old High German bluhhen to burn brightly

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing blush

• at first blush
• blush wine

Kids Definition

blush

1 of 2 verb

ˈbləsh 

1

: to become red in the face especially from shame, confusion, or embarrassment

2

: to feel shame or embarrassment

3

: to have a rosy color : bloom

blusher noun

blush

2 of 2 noun

1

: outward appearance : view

at first blush

2

: a reddening of the face especially from shame, confusion, or embarrassment

3

: a red or rosy tint

Medical Definition

blush

intransitive verb

ˈbləsh 

: to become red in the face especially from shame, modesty, or confusion

blush noun