Words / B1

BLES/bles/

To bless someone is to ask God to protect them: bless a couple; bless the food. Bless you is what people say after a sneeze — a set phrase, not a full prayer. Blessing is the noun (a blessing in disguise). Blessed can mean lucky in a gentle way. Do not confuse bless with bliss (great happiness). In everyday UK English, bless you after a sneeze is the use you will hear most.

Meaning

To ask God to protect someone; people also say bless you after a sneeze.

Examples

• “The priest blessed the couple at the wedding.”
• “People still say bless you when someone sneezes on the bus.”
• “Grandmother blessed the meal before anyone started eating.”

Good to know

After a sneeze: Bless you. Religious: bless a couple / the food. Noun: blessing. Not bliss (happiness).

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