bless

UK: /ˈblɛs/ US: /blɛs/ ,(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 © 2025

bless /blɛs/   v. [~ + object] , blessed or blest /blɛst/  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 © 2025

bless  (bles), 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. 
Synonyms

• 1. exalt, hallow, glorify, magnify, beatify.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

bless / blɛs/ verb (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. 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
10. an exclamation of well-wishing or surprise
11. 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