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

Concealer is used only where needed, and color is added through cream blushes and balm highlighters. —Larry Stansbury, Essence, 8 May 2025

The cosmetic company’s Liquid Blush with Pearl in Perfect Peach is a liquid blush with buildable and blendable qualities for a fresh, pearly glow. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 7 May 2025

Verb

Inside, there’s a big touchscreen, suede details, and so much leather that even Rob Halford would blush. —New Atlas, 30 Apr. 2025

The edition joins a series of artist collaborations that sound similarly impossible and exacting, including the Supreme luggage that was made from 200-plus pieces, and the Alex Israel luggage that blushes like an L.A. sunset, a gentle gradient that required anodized aluminum. —Elisa Wouk Almino, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for blush

• brush
• crush
• flush
• gush
• hush
• lush
• mush
• plush
• shush
• slush
• thrush
• airbrush

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