Blessing Definition & Meaning

American

British

Idioms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms blessing American [bles-ing] / ˈblɛs ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or words of a person who blesses.

2. a special favor, mercy, or benefit.

   the blessings of liberty.

   Synonyms: bounty, profit, gain, boon, advantage

3. a favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness.

4. the invoking of God's favor upon a person.

   The son was denied his father's blessing.

5. praise; devotion; worship, especially grace said before a meal.

   The children took turns reciting the blessing.

6. approval or good wishes.

   The proposed law had the blessing of the governor.

blessing British / ˈblɛsɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of invoking divine protection or aid

2. the words or ceremony used for this

3. a short prayer of thanksgiving before or after a meal; grace

4. Also called: brachah. brocho. Judaism

   1. a short prayer prescribed for a specific occasion and beginning "Blessed art thou, O Lord…"

   2. a section of the liturgy including a similar formula

5. approval; good wishes

   her father gave his blessing to the marriage

6. the bestowal of a divine gift or favour

7. a happy event or state of affairs

   a blessing in disguise

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 blessing Idioms

More idioms and phrases containing blessing

• give thanks for small blessings
• mixed blessing

Etymology

Origin of blessing

First recorded before 900; Middle English blessinge, blessunge, Old English bletsung, bledsung; equivalent to bless + -ing 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“It would be a true blessing to be an All-Star one day,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

“Playing basketball for a living has been an unbelievable blessing that also came with lots of responsibility,” Paul wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

"Still, praise be to God for this blessing," he added while looking around at the water.

From Barron's

And thank the universe for that information, because that is a blessing that shows you when you need to move on to what actually serves you.

From Los Angeles Times

Still having them around is a huge blessing.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• asset
• boon
• gift
• good fortune
• good luck
• kindness
• miracle

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.