What does "bless" mean?
To make something holy by religious rite, sanctify.
Bless
/blɛs/ intj, name, verb, slang
intj, name, verb, slang ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: To make something holy by religious rite, sanctify.
- Grammar: bless is listed as intj, name, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: consecrate, sanctify, accept, acknowledge.
- Useful contrasts: accursed, curst, damning.
- Usage evidence: He prayed that God would bless me.
How to use "bless"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "bless" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "bless" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "bless" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "bless" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "bless" is acting as intj, name, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "consecrate" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "bless", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Verb
- 1 To make something holy by religious rite, sanctify.
- 2 give a benediction to wordnet
- 3 To invoke divine favor upon.
"In some countries, priests bless farm animals on St. Anthony's Day."
- 4 render holy by means of religious rites wordnet
- 5 To honor as holy, glorify; to extol for excellence.
"A Pſalme of Dauid. Bleſſe the Lord, O my ſoule: and all that is within me, bleſſe his holy Name."
Show 10 more definitions
- 6 make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate wordnet
- 7 To esteem or account happy; to felicitate.
"And thou ſhalt ſweare, The Lord liueth, in Trueth, in Iudgement, and in Righteouſnes, and the nations ſhall bleſſe themſelues in him, and in him ſhall they glorie."
- 8 confer prosperity or happiness on wordnet
- 9 To make the sign of the cross upon, so as to sanctify.
"the archbishop vsing certeine praiers, blessed the king"
- 10 To wave; to brandish. obsolete
"And burning blades about their heads do blesse."
- 11 To turn (a reference) into an object. transitive
- 12 To secure, defend, or prevent from. archaic
"Bless me from marrying a usurer."
- 13 To give or send. slang
"Could you bless me the link for the original post?"
- 14 To approve of or assent to. transitive
"After those modifications, the Board blessed the reorganization plan."
- 15 To perform the mano gesture; taking of an elder's hand to press it to one's forehead or kiss it (as a sign of respect) Philippines
"You should bless your relatives, because they arrived here already."
Intj
- 1 Used as an expression of endearment, gratitude, or (ironically) belittlement. Canada, UK, informal
"Ah bless! You must be the welcoming committee for anyone who dares express ignorance."
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname from German.
Example
"He prayed that God would bless me."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "bless"?
Common synonyms include: consecrate, sanctify, accept, acknowledge, admire, adore.
How do you use "bless" in a sentence?
He prayed that God would bless me.
How do you pronounce "bless"?
Pronounced /blɛs/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English blessen, from Old English bletsian (“to consecrate (with blood)”), from Proto-West Germanic *blōdisōn (“to sprinkle, mark or hallow with blood”), from Proto-Germanic *blōþą (“blood”), of uncertain origin, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bʰleh₃- (“to bloom”). Cognate with Old Norse bleza (“to bless”) (whence Icelandic blessa), Old English blēdan (“to bleed”). More at bleed.
Etymology 2
An ellipsis for an expression such as bless your heart.
Etymology 3
Borrowed from Swiss German Bless.