Blessing
Definitions
- 1. (Noun) A divine favor or gift bestowed upon a person, often in religious contexts.
- 2. (Noun) An expression of goodwill or approval, particularly in relation to an event, person, or thing.
- 3. (Noun) A prayer or invocation for God’s favor, typically uttered for someone's wellbeing.
Usage Examples
- The couple received the blessing of their parents before the wedding.
- She felt truly blessed to have such a supportive family.
- The priest offered a blessing to the congregation at the end of the service.
Etymology
The word "blessing" originates from the Old English word "blessed," which is derived from "blessed" meaning "holy" or "consecrated." This word evolved into "blessing," referring to a prayer or invocation that confers divine favor. The root of "blessed" is from the Proto-Germanic "blessed," which also implies something holy or consecrated, and has connections to early Christian uses of the word.
Synonyms
- Gift
- Grace
- Favor
- Benefit
- Honor
Antonyms
- Curse
- Misfortune
- Disfavor
- Ill fortune
- Condemnation
Translations
Language |
Translation |
Pronunciation |
English |
Blessing |
/ˈblɛsɪŋ/ |
Spanish |
Bendición |
/ben.diˈθjon/ |
French |
Bénédiction |
/be.ne.dik.sjɔ̃/ |
German |
Segnung |
/ˈzeːɡnʊŋ/ |
Italian |
Benedizione |
/be.ne.diˈttsjo.ne/ |
Portuguese |
Bênção |
/ˈbẽsɐ̃w̃/ |
Russian |
Благословение |
/bləɡəsloˈvʲenʲɪje/ |
Chinese |
祝福 |
/zhù fú/ |
Arabic |
بركة |
/barakah/ |
Hindi |
आशीर्वाद |
/āśīrvād/ |
Bengali |
আশীর্বাদ |
/āśīrbād/ |
Tamil |
ஆசியாவி |
/āśīyāvi/ |
Telugu |
ఆశీర్వాదం |
/āśīrvādaṁ/ |
Marathi |
आशीर्वाद |
/āśīrvād/ |
Punjabi |
ਆਸ਼ੀਰਵਾਦ |
/āśīrvād/ |
Gujarati |
આશીર્વાદ |
/āśīrvād/ |
Kannada |
ಆಶೀರ್ವಾದ |
/āśīrvād/ |
Malayalam |
ആശീർവാദം |
/āśīrvādaṁ/ |
Odia |
ଆଶୀର୍ବାଦ |
/āśīrbād/ |
Urdu |
آشیرواد |
/āśīrvād/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
Pronunciations of "blessing" can vary in English dialects, with differences between British, American, and Australian English. In non-English languages, such as Spanish or Portuguese, the pronunciation may also vary slightly depending on regional accents.
Historical Usage
The concept of blessing has deep religious roots, particularly in Christian, Jewish, and Islamic traditions, where blessings were seen as acts of divine favor. In many cultures, blessings were associated with rituals or prayers meant to bring prosperity, health, or protection. In the Christian tradition, blessings are often imparted by clergy during religious ceremonies or prayers.
Cultural Nuances
In many cultures, blessings are a means of expressing goodwill and hope for prosperity. In Christianity, blessings are often seen as an important way to connect with divine favor. The idea of being blessed can extend beyond religious contexts, where it is used to express gratitude or recognition for good fortune or favorable circumstances. In some cultures, blessings are closely tied to the notion of family, with parental blessings considered especially significant.
More Information
A blessing is traditionally viewed as a gift, often bestowed by a higher power or person of authority, to bring favor or protection. In religious contexts, it can be a formal invocation of God's favor, frequently expressed in the form of a prayer or ritual. In modern usage, the term has expanded to include general well-wishing and expressions of positive regard, often seen in everyday greetings or well-wishing among friends and family. The practice of giving blessings continues to play an important role in both religious and cultural celebrations, symbolizing hope and goodwill.