BLESSING

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does blessing mean? 

• BLESSING (noun)
  The noun BLESSING has 5 senses:

1. the formal act of approving

2. a desirable state

3. a short prayer of thanks before a meal

4. a ceremonial prayer invoking divine protection

5. the act of praying for divine protection

  Familiarity information: BLESSING used as a noun is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BLESSING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The formal act of approving

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

approval; approving; blessing

Context example:

his decision merited the approval of any sensible person

Hypernyms ("blessing" is a kind of...):

support (aiding the cause or policy or interests of)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "blessing"):

acceptance; acceptation; adoption; espousal (the act of accepting with approval; favorable reception)

backing; backup; championship; patronage (the act of providing approval and support)

admiration; appreciation (a favorable judgment)

reinforcement; reward (an act performed to strengthen approved behavior)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A desirable state

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

blessing; boon

Context example:

a spanking breeze is a boon to sailors

Hypernyms ("blessing" is a kind of...):

good fortune; good luck; luckiness (an auspicious state resulting from favorable outcomes)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "blessing"):

mercy (something for which to be thankful)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A short prayer of thanks before a meal

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

blessing; grace; thanksgiving

Context example:

their youngest son said grace

Hypernyms ("blessing" is a kind of...):

orison; petition; prayer (reverent petition to a deity)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A ceremonial prayer invoking divine protection

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

benediction; blessing

Hypernyms ("blessing" is a kind of...):

orison; petition; prayer (reverent petition to a deity)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "blessing"):

benison (a spoken blessing)

Derivation:

bless (give a benediction to)

Sense 5

Meaning:

The act of praying for divine protection

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

benediction; blessing

Hypernyms ("blessing" is a kind of...):

prayer; supplication (the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving))

Derivation:

bless (give a benediction to)

 Context examples 

The mere habit of learning to love is the thing; and a teachableness of disposition in a young lady is a great blessing.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

How blessed are some people, whose lives have no fears, no dreads; to whom sleep is a blessing that comes nightly, and brings nothing but sweet dreams.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

She could only resolve to avoid such self-delusion in future, and think with heightened gratitude of the extraordinary blessing of having one such truly sympathising friend as Lady Russell.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Halfway down I slipped, but, by the blessing of God, I landed, torn and bleeding, upon the path.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Heaven shower down blessings on you, and save me, that I may again and again testify my gratitude for all your love and kindness.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

She heard it at dinner, and felt it a blessing.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Jupiter, the giver of gifts and luck, will move into your twelfth house and bring blessings to the activity you choose to do when you are alone, screening out people who distract you.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

“That's well,” said my aunt, nodding towards Mr. Peggotty, “and I drink my love to you all, and every blessing and success attend you!”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

And I've succeeded beyond my hopes, for here you are, a steady, sensible businessman, doing heaps of good with your money, and laying up the blessings of the poor, instead of dollars.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

This was a blessing, bright, vivid, and exhilarating;—not like the ponderous gift of gold: rich and welcome enough in its way, but sobering from its weight.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)