bless
To say words asking God to keep someone or something safe and happy.
To ask God (or a god) to protect, help, or show favor to someone or something, often in prayer or a short spoken wish.
To give someone something very good or lucky, often spoken as if it comes from God or life.
To give someone something good, fortunate, or special, especially when speaking as if it comes from God, nature, or luck.
To say special religious words over something to make it holy or protected.
To perform a religious ceremony over a person, place, or thing in order to make it holy, pure, or specially protected.
To say ‘bless’ to someone to show that you are thankful for them or think they are sweet or kind.
To use the word ‘bless’ to show warm thanks, kindness, or affection toward someone, often in casual or emotional speech.
To say officially that a plan or action is okay, often in a formal group or office.
To officially approve or support something, especially a plan, agreement, or decision, sometimes with a slightly humorous or figurative tone.
An old-style word you may hear in phrases like ‘Bless me!’ to show surprise or emotion.
Used as a mild exclamation to show surprise, emotion, or emphasis, often in older or humorous English expressions, without a strong literal religious meaning.
- Base: bless
- 3rd Person Singular: blesses
- Present Participle: blessing
- Past: blessed, blest
- Past Participle: blessed
be blessed with [something]
1have a special good quality or thing
To have something very good, like health, beauty, or a nice family, as if it is a special gift.
- The country is blessed with rich natural resources.
- She is blessed with an amazing memory.
- We are blessed with wonderful neighbors who always help us.
bless (someone’s) heart
1sympathetic or gently critical comment
An informal phrase, especially in Southern American English, used to show sympathy or affection, or sometimes to soften a criticism of someone.
- “Bless her heart, she really tried, but the cake didn’t turn out well,” he said kindly.
- He’s doing his best, bless his heart, even if he’s a bit confused.
- She looked at the tired nurse and said, “Bless your heart, you must be exhausted.”
bless you
1polite phrase after a sneeze
A polite thing you say to someone right after they sneeze.
- She sneezed loudly, and everyone around her said, “Bless you.”
- If a colleague sneezes in the office, it’s common to say, “Bless you.”
- He sneezed three times in a row and kept hearing, “Bless you, bless you, bless you.”
bless you for [doing something]
1warm or emotional thanks
A friendly way to thank someone for doing something kind or helpful.
- Bless you for watching the kids while I was at work.
- You brought food for us? Bless you for thinking of our family.
- Bless you for fixing my computer so quickly.
God bless
1religious-style closing or farewell
A phrase often used at the end of a talk, message, or letter to say you hope God will help or protect the listener or reader.
- Thank you for listening tonight. God bless.
- He ended the email to his church group with, “See you Sunday. God bless.”
- The singer waved to the crowd and shouted, “Good night, everyone. God bless!”
God bless you
1wish for God’s help or care
A phrase used to ask God to take care of someone or be kind to them; sometimes also said after a sneeze.
- “Thank you for your kindness. God bless you,” the woman said.
- At the end of his speech, the leader said, “God bless you, and God bless our country.”
- She hugged her son at the airport and whispered, “God bless you and keep you safe.”