bless

verb

ˈbles How to pronounce bless (audio)
blessed ˈblest How to pronounce bless (audio) also blest ˈblest How to pronounce bless (audio) ; blessing
Synonyms of blessnext

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

Synonyms of bless

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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.
Every now and then, the world blesses us with a day so full of sports that the hardest part is trying to figure out how to watch everything. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026 So far, his scheming hasn’t been all that productive, and with Saeed inching into the case, Johnny is more likely to get benched with Molly, who’s mostly there to say lines of expository dialogue, bless her. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026 And while he’s been blessed by natural talent and physicality, his rise through the system has been a journey of sacrifice and education. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026 Linguine Nerano This falls short in the way most Trader Joe’s frozen pastas do, resembling airline food when you’re blessed enough to have it. — Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026 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

Phrases Containing bless

Rhymes for bless

See All Rhymes for bless

Browse Nearby Words

blesmol
bless
blessed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bless. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bless

verb
ˈbles How to pronounce bless (audio)
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
: endow sense 2, favor
Etymology

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

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