blessing

blessing — noun

1. a prayer asking God to protect or help a person, group, or occasion, or the help

1.noun
Definition

a prayer asking God to protect or help a person, group, or occasion, or the help believed to come from that prayer.

Example

The bishop gave a blessing before the new hospital opened.

give a blessing before + event

The family asked for God's blessing before leaving the village.

ask for God's blessing

Common collocations
  • God's blessing
  • say a blessing
  • give a blessing
  • ask for a blessing
  • a wedding blessing
Synonyms
  • benediction

    more formal and strongly tied to church language

  • grace

    usually the short prayer said before a meal

  • prayer

    much broader; a blessing specifically asks for divine favor or protection

Grammar Patterns

say a blessing

ask for God's blessing on + person

give a blessing before + event

Usage Note

Often appears with verbs like give, say, ask for, or seek in religious settings. It can name either the spoken prayer itself or the divine protection people believe follows it.

Common Mistakes

We said blessing before dinner.
We said a blessing before dinner.
when you mean one short prayer, this noun usually needs an article.

2. something unexpectedly good that keeps trouble away or makes life easier.

2.noun
Definition

something unexpectedly good that keeps trouble away or makes life easier.

Example

It was a blessing that the train stopped before the broken bridge.

it is a blessing that + clause

For Hana, the extra week at home was a blessing.

Common collocations
  • a real blessing
  • a blessing for families
  • such a blessing
  • an unexpected blessing
  • feel like a blessing
Synonyms
  • godsend

    stronger and more informal; suggests help arriving at exactly the right time

  • boon

    more formal; often used in writing for something very helpful

  • benefit

    broader and more neutral; not always tied to luck

Antonyms
  • curse

    something that brings repeated trouble instead of relief

  • burden

    something that makes life harder rather than easier

Grammar Patterns

it is a blessing that + clause

be a blessing for + person

feel like a blessing

Usage Note

Common after danger, delay, illness, or another difficulty, especially in the pattern 'It was a blessing that ...'. Distinguish from sense 3, which is about someone's permission or support, not good luck.

Common Mistakes

It was a blessing for no one to be hurt.
It was a blessing that no one was hurt.
English often uses a that-clause when the lucky part is a whole result.

3. someone's clear agreement that a plan, marriage, or decision may go ahead.

3.noun
Definition

someone's clear agreement that a plan, marriage, or decision may go ahead.

Example

The board gave its blessing to the museum expansion last night.

give your blessing to + plan

Without Aunt Rosa's blessing, Diego delayed the wedding plans.

Common collocations
  • give your blessing
  • seek someone's blessing
  • get someone's blessing
  • with her blessing
  • parental blessing
Synonyms
  • approval

    the broad everyday word; 'blessing' sounds warmer or more personal

  • consent

    more formal and often used when permission is required

  • backing

    stresses active support, not just permission

  • permission

    focuses on being allowed to act; 'blessing' often adds emotional support

Antonyms
  • objection

    shows that someone does not want the action to happen

  • refusal

    clear decision not to allow or support something

Grammar Patterns

give your blessing to + plan

with someone's blessing

seek someone's blessing

Usage Note

Usually follows give, have, get, or seek, and the person or group giving approval is often named. Distinguish from sense 1: this use is secular permission or support, not a religious prayer.

Common Mistakes

My parents blessed to the move.
My parents gave their blessing to the move.
for approval, English usually uses the noun phrase 'give your blessing to'.
Idioms

a blessing in disguise

idiom

an event that first looks unlucky but later helps you.

Missing the last bus was a blessing in disguise, because Mei met her future boss while walking home.

The apartment leak seemed awful, but it was a blessing in disguise after the mold was found.

count your blessings

idiom

to notice what is still good in your life and feel thankful for it.

After the storm, the family counted their blessings around a dry kitchen table.

When Ravi lost his phone, his sister told him to count his blessings.

Word family

  • bless
    verbB2
  • blessed
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

'Blessing' in sense 2 is an everyday way to say that something good arrived, especially after worry or difficulty. 'Benefit' is broader and more neutral: lower prices can be a benefit, even if no one feels lucky. 'Boon' is more formal and often appears in writing about policies, technology, or business. 'Godsend' is the strongest of the four; it suggests help came at exactly the right moment, often when someone was close to giving up. Use 'blessing' when you want warmth and relief without sounding dramatic. For example, a quiet weekend after exams can be a blessing. A free ride home in heavy rain may feel like a godsend, while cheaper train tickets are usually described as a benefit or a boon.

blessing ↗benefit ↗boongodsend

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Blessing' grew from the verb 'bless' with the noun ending '-ing'. The older verb goes back to Old English blētsian. That early form is historically connected with the idea of blood, because old consecration rituals involved marking something with blood.