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⇱ bless - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

bless

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UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈblɛs/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/blɛs/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(bles)

Inflections of 'bless' (v): (⇒ conjugate)
blesses
v 3rd person singular
blessing
v pres p
blessed
v past
blessed
v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
bless /blɛs/USA pronunciation   v. [~ + object], blessed or blest /blɛst/USA pronunciation  bless•ing. 
  1. to make (something) holy or sacred by a religious rite:The priest blessed the offering.
  2. to ask for God's divine favor upon or for:Bless this house.
  3. to give some benefit to;
    endow:[~ + object + with + object]Nature blessed me with strong teeth.
  4. to praise as holy;
    glorify: Bless the Lord.
  5. Bless you! 
    • (used to convey thanks, affection, or best wishes to someone):"Bless you,'' she said when I dropped a few coins in her basket.
    • (used to express polite concern after someone has sneezed):"Ahchoo!'' she sneezed. "Bless you,'' he responded.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
bless  (bles),USA pronunciation v.t., blessed or blest, bless•ing. 
  1. to consecrate or sanctify by a religious rite;
    make or pronounce holy.
  2. to request of God the bestowal of divine favor on:Bless this house.
  3. to bestow good of any kind upon:a nation blessed with peace.
  4. to extol as holy;
    glorify:Bless the name of the Lord.
  5. to protect or guard from evil (usually used interjectionally):Bless you! Bless your innocent little heart!
  6. to condemn or curse:I'll be blessed if I can see your reasoning. Bless me if it isn't my old friend!
  7. to make the sign of the cross over or upon:The Pope blessed the multitude.
  • Middle English blessen, Old English blētsian, blēdsian to consecrate, origin, originally with blood, earlier *blōdisōian (blōd blood + -isō- derivational suffix + -ian verb, verbal suffix) bef. 950
bless′er, n. 
bless′ing•ly, adv. 
    1. exalt, hallow, glorify, magnify, beatify.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
bless /blɛs/ vb (blesses, blessing, blessed, blest) (transitive)
  1. to consecrate or render holy, beneficial, or prosperous by means of a religious rite
  2. to give honour or glory to (a person or thing) as divine or holy
  3. to call upon God to protect; give a benediction to
  4. to worship or adore (God); call or hold holy
  5. (often passive) to grant happiness, health, or prosperity to
  6. (usually passive) to endow with a talent, beauty, etc
  7. rare to protect against evil or harm
  8. bless! ⇒ (interjection) an exclamation of well-wishing
  9. bless you! ⇒ (interjection)
    • a traditional phrase said to a person who has just sneezed
    • an exclamation of well-wishing or surprise
  10. bless me!, bless my soul!, God bless my soul! ⇒ (interjection) an exclamation of surprise
Etymology: Old English blǣdsian to sprinkle with sacrificial blood; related to blōd blood
'bless' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

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