blessing Definition

bless
verb blessed (past tense), blessed (past participle), blest, blessing (present participle)

1. To ask for divine favour or protection for someone or something.
2a. To make or pronounce someone or something holy; to consecrate;

Thesaurus: baptize, canonize, glorify, honour, dedicate, exalt, anoint, ordain, consecrate, sanctify.
2b. To make the sign of the cross over someone or something or to cross (oneself).
3. To praise; to give honour or glory to (a deity).
4. To thank or be thankful for something.

Example: I bless the day I met him

Idiom: bless me (bless my soul)

An expression of surprise, pleasure or dismay, etc.

Idiom: bless you! (God bless you!)

Said to a person who has just sneezed (originally as a superstitious call for God to protect them from illness).

An expression of affection, well-wishing or thanks, etc towards a person.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon bletsian or bledsian, probably from blod blood (from the use of sacrificial blood in ancient blessing ceremonies).

Phrasal Verb: be blessed with something

To have the benefit or advantage of (some natural quality or attribute, eg good health).

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blessing
noun

1. A wish or prayer for happiness or success.

Thesaurus: benediction, benison, commendation, sanctification, absolution, baptism, unction, consecration; Antonym: curse, anathema.
2a. relig.
An act which invites the goodness of God to rest upon someone, often expressed by the placing of hands upon their head;
2b. relig.
A short prayer said before or after a meal or church service, etc.
3. A cause of happiness, or sometimes of relief or comfort; a benefit or advantage.

Thesaurus: boon, benefit, advantage, asset, stroke of luck, good fortune, godsend, windfall; Antonym: obstacle.
4. Approval or good wishes.

Example: They married without his blessing

Idiom: a blessing in disguise

Something that has proved to be fortunate after seeming unfortunate.

Idiom: count one's blessings

To be grateful for what one has, rather than unhappy about what one does not have.