blow
1 of 5verb (1)
ˈblō 
blew ˈblü ; blown ˈblōn ; blowing
; blown ˈblōn ; blowing intransitive verb
1
a of air
(1)
: to be in motion
A breeze blew gently.
(2)
: to move with speed or force
The wind was blowing.
b
: to move or run quickly
The linebacker blew past the tackle.
2
: to send forth a current of air or other gas
Don't blow on your soup.
3
a
: to make a sound by or as if by blowing
hear the train blow
b
of a wind instrument : sound entry 2
a horn blowing
waiting for the whistle to blow
4
a
: boast
blowing about his accomplishments
b
: to talk in an empty or boastful way
… if it wasn't true, and he was just blowing, it wouldn't be so hard to take.
James Jones
James Jones5
a
: pant, gasp
The horse blew heavily.
b
of a cetacean : to eject moisture-laden air from the lungs through the blowhole
heard a whale blow nearby
6
: to move or be carried by or as if by wind
just blew into town for the weekend
7
a
: erupt, explode
The bridge was about to blow.
The windows blew out in the explosion.
b
: to become damaged or destroyed as a result of an electrical overload
The fuse blew.
A Western Massachusetts Electric Company power substation blew yesterday afternoon, cutting power for 90 minutes to more than 9,100 customers … Patrick Johnson
Patrick Johnson c
of a tire : to release the contained air through a spontaneous rupture —usually used with out
blew out a tire
8
US slang, sometimes vulgar : to be extremely bad in quality or execution : suck, stink
So how come this oddball dramedy … never received a U.S. theatrical release … !? Oh, yeah, it blows. Bruce Fretts
Bruce Frettstransitive verb
1
a
: to set (gas or vapor) in motion
The fan blew hot air on us.
b
: to act on with a current of gas or vapor
The breeze blew my hair dry.
2
a
: to play or sound on (a wind instrument)
blow their horns
b
: to play (something) on a wind instrument
blow a tune
3
a
: to spread by report
… through the court his courtesy was blown … John Dryden
John Dryden b
past participle blowed ˈblōd : damn
: damn blow the expense
4
a
: to drive with a current of gas or vapor
The storm blew the boat off course.
b
: to clear of contents by forcible passage of a current of air
blow your nose
c
: to project (a gesture or sound made with the mouth) by blowing
blew him a kiss
5
a
: to distend with or as if with gas
blow a balloon
b
: to produce or shape by the action of blown or injected air
blowing bubbles
6
of insects : to deposit eggs or larvae on or in
wounds blown by flies
7
: to shatter, burst, or destroy by explosion
blow the safe open
8
a
: to put out of breath with exertion
Take care not to blow the horses.
b
: to let (an animal, such as a horse) pause to catch the breath
paused to blow the horses
9
a
: to expend (something, such as money) extravagantly
blew her allowance on a pair of jeans
b
: to treat with unusual expenditure
I'll blow you to a steak.
10
: to cause (a fuse) to blow
blew a fuse
11
: to rupture by too much pressure
blow a seal
12
a
: botch sense 1
actors blowing their lines
b
: to fail to keep or hold
They blew a big lead.
c
: to lose or miss (an opportunity) because of mistakes or poor judgment
blow a chance to make a good impression
13
: to leave hurriedly
blew town
14
: to propel with great force or speed
blew a fastball by the batter
15
US, informal : to drive or speed through or past (a traffic signal or stop sign) without stopping
He blew several red lights and stop signs before smashing into a pole and a fence, cops said. Jessica Simeone et al.
Jessica Simeone et al.blow
2 of 5noun (1)
1
: an instance of air moving with speed or force : a blowing of wind especially when strong or violent
2
: brag, boasting
3
: an act or instance of blowing (see blow entry 1)
gave his nose a good blow
a blow of the horn
4
metallurgy
a
: the time during which air is forced through molten metal to refine it
b
: the quantity of metal refined during that time
5
slang : cocaine
blow
3 of 5verb (2)
blew ˈblü ; blown ˈblōn ; blowing
; blown ˈblōn ; blowing intransitive verb
: flower, bloom
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows … Shakespeare
Shakespeareblow
4 of 5noun (2)
1
: blossoms
2
: bloom entry 2 sense 1b
lilacs in full blow
blow
5 of 5noun (3)
1
: a forcible stroke delivered with a part of the body (such as the fist) or with an instrument
a mighty blow with his club
boxers exchanging blows
2
: a hostile act or state : combat
nations coming to blows
3
: a forcible or sudden act or effort : assault
… such a language … would solve many of his … difficulties at a single blow. Edward Sapir
Edward Sapir4
: an unfortunate or calamitous happening
failure to land the job came as a blow
Phrases
blow a gasket : to become enraged
slang : vomit sense 1
The basement is the sort of dim, subterranean space the players don't seem to mind trashing, and every now and then, one of them will turn to a corner and urinate or blow chunks. Jonathon Blum
Jonathon Blum : to be favorable at one moment and adverse the next
: to release pent-up emotions
: to lose one's composure
: to reveal one's real identity
: to overwhelm one with wonder or bafflement
an idea that's sure to blow your mind
1
: to become violently angry
2
: to go crazy
: to speak idly, misleadingly, or boastfully
: to call public or official attention to something (such as a wrongdoing) kept secret —usually used with on
blew the whistle on the firm's unethical practices
Synonyms
Verb (1)
- gasp
- heave
- hyperventilate
- pant
- puff
- wheeze
Noun (1)
- blast
- flurry
- gust
- scud
- williwaw
- windblast
Verb (2)
- bloom
- blossom
- burgeon
- bourgeon
- effloresce
- flower
- unfold
Noun (3)
- bang
- bash
- bat
- beat
- belt
- biff
- bop
- box
- buffet
- bust
- chop
- clap
- clip
- clout
- crack
- cuff
- dab
- douse [British]
- fillip
- hack
- haymaker
- hit
- hook
- knock
- larrup [dialect]
- lash
- lick
- pelt
- pick
- plump
- poke
- pound
- punch
- rap
- slam
- slap
- slug
- smack
- smash
- sock
- spank
- stinger
- stripe
- stroke
- swat
- swipe
- switch
- thud
- thump
- thwack
- wallop
- welt
- whack
- wham
- whop
- whap
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Verb (1) and Noun (1)
Middle English, from Old English blāwan; akin to Old High German blāen to blow, Latin flare
Verb (2) and Noun (2)
Middle English, from Old English blōwan; akin to Old High German bluoen to bloom, Latin florēre to bloom, flor-, flos flower
Noun (3)
Middle English (northern dialect) blaw; probably akin to Old High German bliuwan to beat
First Known Use
Verb (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a
Noun (1)
1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (2)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
1710, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (3)
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing blow
Kids Definition
blow 1 of 3
verb
ˈblō
blew
ˈblü
; blown ˈblōn
; blowing 1
: to move or be moved usually with speed and force
Wind is blowing from the north.
The door blew shut.
2
: to move in or with the wind
Dust blew through the cracks.
3
: to send forth a strong stream of air from the mouth or from a bellows
If you are cold, blow on your hands.
4
: to make a sound or cause to sound by blowing
The whistle blows loudly.
Blow your horn.
5
: to clear by forcing air through
Blow your nose.
6
: to shape by forcing air into
The workers showed how they blow glass.
7
: to enter or leave very quickly
She blew into the room.
8
: to fail in performing or keeping
The actor blew his lines.
The team blew a big lead.
blow
2 of 3noun
: a blowing of wind : gale
blow
3 of 3noun
1
: a hard hit with a part of the body or an object
a hammer's blow
a blow to the head
2
: a sudden happening that causes suffering or loss
The dog's death was a severe blow.
Medical Definition
blow 1 of 2
transitive verb
ˈblō
blew ˈblü ; blown ˈblōn ; blowing
; blown ˈblōn ; blowing 1
: to free (the nose) of mucus and debris by forcible exhalation
2
of blowflies and flesh flies : to deposit eggs or larvae on or in
blow
2 of 2noun
1
: the act of some insects of depositing eggs or larvae
also : a larva so deposited (as in a wound) —used chiefly of blowflies and flesh flies
2
: forcible ejection of air from the body (as in freeing the nose of mucus and debris)
3
slang : cocaine
blow smoke
phrase
1
as in brag
to praise or express pride in one's own possessions, qualities, or accomplishments often to excess He's been blowing smoke about his accomplishments all afternoon. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- brag
- boast
- display
- vapor
- blow
- gasconade
- bull
- crow
- exhibit
- swagger
- pride
- show off
- puff
- glory
- vaunt
- gush
- expose
- parade
- maximize
- bluster
- rejoice
- harangue
- flaunt
- exult
- magnify
- glorify
- brandish
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- laugh off
- minimize
- discount
- shrug off
- play down
- pooh
- diminish
- deprecate
- underrate
- undervalue
- belittle
- regret
- mourn
- lament
- pooh-pooh
- bemoan
2
as in chat
to engage in casual or rambling conversation She has a habit of blowing smoke when she gets nervous. Synonyms & Similar Words
- chat
- talk
- converse
- run on
- chew the rag
- gas
- rattle
- shoot the breeze
- chew the fat
- chatter
- rap
- patter
- visit
- talk a blue streak
- chin
- schmooze
- prate
- discuss
- babble
- jaw
- natter
- prattle
- gab
- jabber
- cackle
- palaver
- gabble
- gossip
- blab
- twitter
- shmooze
- chaffer
- kibbitz
- kibitz
- tattle
- expatiate
- descant
- yak
- yammer
- yap
- yack