Bless Definition

blĕs

blessed, blesses, blessing, blest

verb

blessed, blesses, blessing, blest

To make or declare holy by a spoken formula or a sign; hallow; consecrate.

Webster's New World

To ask divine favor for.

The minister blessed the congregation.

Webster's New World

To make happy or prosperous; gladden.

He blessed us with his leadership.

Webster's New World

To favor or endow (with)

To be blessed with eloquence.

Webster's New World

To praise or glorify.

To bless the Lord.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

interjection

(UK, informal) Used as an expression of endearment, or (ironically) belittlement.

Wiktionary

idiom

bless you

American Heritage

bless me!

Webster's New World

God bless!

Webster's New World

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Bless

From Middle English blessen, from Old English blētsian, blēdsian (“to consecrate (with blood)”), from Proto-Germanic *blōþisōną (“to sprinkle, mark or hallow with blood”), from *blōþą (“blood”), from Proto-Indo-European *bhlo-to- (“to gush, spurt”), from *bhol-, *bhlē-dh-, *bhlō(w)- (“to thrive, flourish, bloom”). Cognate with Old Norse bletza (“to bless”) (whence Icelandic blessa), Old English blēdan (“to bleed”). More at bleed.

From Wiktionary
Middle English blessen from Old English blētsian to consecrate bhel-³ in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
An ellipsis for an expression such as bless your heart

From Wiktionary