blessing
/ˈblɛsɪŋ
/noun
1God’s favour and protection: may God continue to give us his blessing...
- Continue to lead me and guide me in that way by the blessing of your Holy Spirit.
- The other essential part of the marriage service is the invocation of divine blessing.
- I was somewhat baffled as to why a pious Muslim would want a blessing from other spiritual beings.
Synonyms
protection, favour
1.1A prayer asking for divine favour and protection: a priest gave a blessing as the ship was launched...
- Gamaliel defined no more than the beginnings and ends of blessings, leaving the prayer leader or individual worshipper to improvise on the set theme.
- God, Allah, the Buddha, or Shiva requires you to offer a sacrifice, a prayer or a blessing.
- It seems as though all those doubts and worries had been transformed into prayers and blessings, which had then been abundantly answered.
1.2Grace said before or after a meal.If we speak of the celebration as ‘blessing,’ then, we do so in the same sense that saying grace at meals is blessing....
- Brother Dave offered a blessing on our evening meal, and asked for guidance in staying focused over the next few days.
- Lastly, the master of ceremonies could give the meal blessing.
Synonyms
benediction, dedication, consecration, invocation, commendation, prayer for someone, intercession;
grace, thanksgiving, thanks;
Jewish kiddush
archaic orison
1.3A beneficial thing for which one is grateful: great intelligence can be a curse as well as a blessing it’s a blessing we’re alive...
- I DO agree with Roger Perry that we live in a beautiful world and that we have many blessings to be grateful for.
- He and Ronny spoke many times about their desire for people everywhere to have the benefit and the blessings of freedom.
- But the warmth is a blessing and a boon for aching backs after a day of off-road trials.
Synonyms
advantage, benefit, help, boon, good thing, godsend, favour, gift, convenience;
bonus, plus point, added attraction, additional benefit, extra, added extra;
luck, stroke of luck, piece of luck, good fortune, windfall, gain, profit, virtue, bounty
informal plus, perk
literary benison
1.4A person’s sanction or support: he gave the plan his blessing even before it was announced...
- John Paul is one of the Woodfield area candidates taking part in the mayoral event and he will give his blessings to all who support this venture.
- Jones said although her bandmates at Request were sad to see her go, they gave her their blessings and support.
- If you're still sure that you want to make this travel, you'll have all my support and my blessings.
Synonyms
sanction, consent, assent, endorsement, clearance, agreement, concurrence, approval, seal of approval, stamp of approval, imprimatur, backing, support, favour, good wishes
informal the go-ahead, the thumbs up, the green light, the OK
formal approbation
Phrases
a blessing in disguise