Definition of 'blow'
Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense blows
, present participle blowing
, past tense blew
, past participle blown
4. verb
If you blow something somewhere, you move it by sending out a stream of air from your mouth.
[Also VERB noun preposition]5. verb
If you blow bubbles or smoke rings, you make them by blowing air out of your mouth through liquid or
smoke.
7. verb
When you blow your nose, you force air out of it through your nostrils in order to clear it.
8. verb
The can exploded, wrecking the kitchen and bathroom and blowing out windows. [VERB noun with adverb]
Synonyms: blast More Synonyms of blow
9. verb
11. verb
If you blow a chance or attempt to do something, you make a mistake which wastes the chance or
causes the attempt to fail.
[informal]
12. ergative verb
If a fuse blows or if something blows it, the fuse melts because too much electricity has been sent through it, and the
electrical current is cut off.
[Also VERB noun] 14.
15. See also full-blown, overblown
19. to blow a kiss
21. to blow your top
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word forms: plural blows
1. countable noun
2. countable noun
If something that happens is a blow to someone or something, it is very upsetting, disappointing, or damaging to them.
3.
See to come to blows
4.
5.
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
British English pronunciation
American English pronunciation
You may also like
Word Frequency
blow in British English 1
verbWord forms: blows, blowing, blew, blown
1.
(of a current of air, the wind, etc) to be or cause to be in motion
2. (intransitive)
to move or be carried by or as if by wind or air
a feather blew in through the window
4.
to force or cause (air, dust, etc) to move (into, in, over, etc) by using an instrument
or by expelling breath
8.
to cause (a whistle, siren, etc) to sound by forcing air into it, as a signal, or (of a whistle, etc) to sound
thus
9. (transitive)
to force air from the lungs through (the nose) to clear out mucus or obstructing matter
10. (often foll by up, down, in, etc)
to explode, break, or disintegrate completely
the bridge blew down in the gale
11. electronics
to burn out (a fuse, valve, etc) because of excessive current or (of a fuse, valve,
etc) to burn out
12. See blow a fuse
14. (transitive)
to wind (a horse) by making it run excessively
15.
to cause (a wind instrument) to sound by forcing one's breath into the mouthpiece, or (of such an instrument) to sound in this way
17. (intransitive)
(of flies) to lay eggs (in)
18.
to shape (glass, ornaments, etc) by forcing air or gas through the material when molten
22. slang
to go suddenly away (from)
28. See blow hot and cold
29. See blow a kiss
30. See blow one's own trumpet
31. See blow someone's mind
32. See blow one's top
noun
33.
the act or an instance of blowing
34.
the sound produced by blowing
35.
a blast of air or wind
36. metallurgy
a.
a stage in the Bessemer process in which air is blasted upwards through molten pig iron
b.
the quantity of metal treated in a Bessemer converter
38. jazz slang
a jam session
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
Old English blāwan, related to Old Norse blǣr gust of wind, Old High German blāen, Latin flāreWord Frequency
blow in British English 2
noun
1.
a powerful or heavy stroke with the fist, a weapon, etc
2. See at one blow
4. See come to blows
5.
an attacking action
a blow for freedom
6. Australian and New Zealand
a stroke of the shears in sheep-shearing
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
C15: probably of Germanic origin; compare Old High German bliuwan to beat
Word Frequency
blow in British English 3
verbWord forms: blows, blowing, blew, blown
2. (transitive)
to produce (flowers)
noun
3.
a mass of blossoms
4.
the state or period of blossoming (esp in the phrase in full blow)
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
Old English blōwan; related to Old Frisian blōia to bloom, Old High German bluoen, Latin flōs flower; see bloom1Word Frequency
blow in American English 1
verb intransitiveWord forms: blew, blown, ˈblowing
1.
to move with some force
said of the wind or a current of air2.
to send forth air with or as with the mouth
3.
to pant; be breathless
4.
to make or give sound by blowing or being blown
5.
said of whales
6.
to be carried by the wind or a current of air
the paper blew away
7.
to be stormy
9.
to lay eggs
said of flies10. Informal
to brag; boast
11. US, Slang
to go away; leave
13. Slang
to cease functioning, esp. by overuse
said of an engine, etc. verb transitive
15.
to send out (breath, tobacco smoke, etc.) from the mouth
16.
to force air onto, into, or through
17.
to drive by blowing
18.
a.
to sound (a wind instrument) by blowing
b.
to make (a sound or signal) by blowing
20.
to shape or form (glass, soap bubbles, etc.) by blown air or gas
21.
to clean or clear by blowing through
to blow one's nose
22.
to cause to burst or break by an explosion
23.
to cause (a horse) to pant
24.
to lay or deposit eggs in
said of flies25.
to melt (a fuse, etc.)
27. Informal
to treat (to something)
29. US, Slang
to go away from; leave
he blew town
31. Word forms: blowed Slang
to damn
used in euphemistic oaths34. Slang, Vulgar
to perform fellatio on
35. Slang
to cause (an engine, transmission, etc.) to cease functioning, esp. by overuse
noun
36.
the act of blowing
37.
a blast of air
38. Metallurgy
a.
the blast of air forced through molten metal to remove impurities
b.
the time or stage in metal refining in which the blast of air is forced through molten metal
c.
the amount of metal that is refined during this time
39.
a strong wind; gale
40.
a boast
Idioms:
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
blow in American English 2
noun
1.
a hard hit or stroke with the fist, a weapon, etc.
2.
a sudden attack or forcible effort
3.
any sudden calamity or misfortune; shock
Idioms:
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin
ME blowe, akin to Ger bleuen, Goth bliggwan, to strike
Word Frequency
blow in American English 3
verb intransitiveWord forms: blew, blown, ˈblowing
1. Archaic
to blossom
noun Archaic
2.
a mass of blossoms
3.
the state of flowering
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
blow in American English 1
(blou)
noun
SYNONYMS 1. buffet, thump, thwack, rap, slap, cuff, box, beat, knock. 1, 2. blow, stroke, hit, slap refer to a sudden or forceful impact, but differ in their literal and figurative
uses. blow emphasizes the violence of the impact and, figuratively, adverse fortune: a blow from a hammer; a blow to one's hopes. stroke emphasizes movement as well as impact; it indicates precision or, figuratively, either
good fortune or sudden or unexpected pain or misfortune: the stroke of a piston; a stroke of luck, of lightning; a paralytic stroke. hit, in its current uses, emphasizes the successful result of a literal or figurative
blow, impact, or impression, for example in baseball, social life, the theater: a two-base hit; to make a hit with someone; a smash hit. slap, a blow with the open hand or with something flat, emphasizes the instrument with
which the blow is delivered and, often, the resulting sound; figuratively, it connotes
an unfriendly or sarcastic statement, action, or attitude: Her coldness was like a slap in the face; the slap of a beaver's tail on the water. 1.
a sudden, hard stroke with a hand, fist, or weapon
a blow to the head
4. See at one blow
5. See come to blows
6. See strike a blow
7. See strike a blow for
8. See without striking a blow
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word origin
[1425–75; late ME blaw, northern form repr. later blowe; akin to OHG bliuwan, Goth bliggwan to beat]Word Frequency
blow in American English 2
(blou) (verb blew, blown, blowing)
intransitive verb
1. (of the wind or air)
to be in motion
2.
to move along, carried by or as by the wind
Dust seemed to blow through every crack in the house
3.
to produce or emit a current of air, as with the mouth or a bellows
Blow on your hands to warm them
4. (of a horn, trumpet, etc.)
to give out sound
5.
to make a blowing sound; whistle
The siren blew just as we rounded the corner
6. (of horses)
to breathe hard or quickly; pant
7. informal
to boast; brag
He kept blowing about his medals
8. Zoology (of a whale)
to spout
9. (of a fuse, light bulb, vacuum tube, tire, etc.) (often fol. by out)
to burst, melt, stop functioning, or be destroyed by exploding, overloading, etc.
A fuse blew just as we sat down to dinner
The rear tire blew out
10.
to burst from internal pressure
Poorly sealed cans will often blow
transitive verb
12.
to drive by means of a current of air
A sudden breeze blew the smoke into the house
13.
to spread or make widely known
Growing panic blew the rumor about
14.
to drive a current of air upon
15.
to clear or empty by forcing air through
Try blowing your nose
16.
to shape (glass, smoke, etc.) with a current of air
to blow smoke rings
17.
to cause to sound, as by a current of air
Blow your horn at the next crossing
18. Jazz
to play (a musical instrument of any kind)
19. (often fol. by up, to bits, etc.)
to cause to explode
A mine blew the ship to bits
20. (often fol. by out)
to burst, melt, burn out, or destroy by exploding, overloading, etc.
to blow a tire
blow a fuse
22. informal
a.
to spend money on
b.
to squander; spend quickly
He blew a fortune on racing cars
c.
to waste; lose
The team blew the lead by making a bad play
23. informal
With one stupid mistake he blew the whole project
It was your last chance and you blew it!
24. slang
to damn
Blow the cost!
25.
to put (a horse) out of breath by fatigue
26. slang
to depart from
to blow town
27. vulgar slang
to perform fellatio on
28. slang
to smoke (marijuana or other drugs)
29. See blow away
30. See blow down
31. See blow hot and cold
32. See blow in
33. See blow off
34. See blow one's cool
35. See blow one's cover
36. See blow one's lines
37. See blow one's mind
38. See blow one's stack
39. See blow one's top
40. See blow out
41. See blow over
42. See blow up
noun
43.
a blast of air or wind
to clean machinery with a blow
44. informal
one of the worst blows we ever had around here
45.
an act of producing a blast of air, as in playing a wind instrument
a few discordant blows by the bugler
46. Metallurgy
a.
a blast of air forced through a converter, as in the production of steel or copper
b.
the stage of the production process during which this blast is used
48. slang
cocaine
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word origin
[bef. 1000; ME blowen (v.), OE blāwan; c. L flāre to blow]Word Frequency
blow in American English 3
(blou) (verb blew, blown, blowing)
noun
1.
a yield or display of blossoms
the lilac's lavender blows
3.
state of blossoming; a flowering
a border of tulips in full blow
intransitive verb or transitive verb
4. archaic
to blossom or cause to blossom
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word origin
[bef. 1000; ME blowen (v.), OE blōwan; akin to G blühen to bloom, L flōs flower]Examples of 'blow' in a sentence
blow
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Collins, or its parent company HarperCollins.
We welcome feedback: report an example sentence to the Collins team. Read more…
More idioms containing
blow
Trends of
blow
View usage for:
Source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
In other languages
blow
British English: blow
/bləʊ/ NOUN
hit Someone receives a blow when someone or something hits them.
He went to hospital after a blow to the face.
- American English: blow /ˈbloʊ/
- Arabic: لَطْمَة
- Brazilian Portuguese: pancada
- Chinese: 拳打
- Croatian: udarac
- Czech: úder
- Danish: slag
- Dutch: klap
- European Spanish: golpe
- Finnish: isku
- French: coup
- German: Schlag
- Greek: κτύπημα
- Italian: colpo
- Japanese: 強打
- Korean: 강타
- Norwegian: slag physical
- Polish: dmuchnięcie
- European Portuguese: sopro
- Romanian: lovitură
- Russian: удар
- Latin American Spanish: golpe
- Swedish: slag knytnävsslag
- Thai: การต่อย
- Turkish: darbe
- Ukrainian: удар
- Vietnamese: đòn đánh
British English: blow
/bləʊ/ VERB
wind When the wind blows, it moves the air.
The wind blew in our faces.
- American English: blow /ˈbloʊ/
- Arabic: يَهُبُ
- Brazilian Portuguese: soprar
- Chinese: 风吹
- Croatian: puhati
- Czech: foukat
- Danish: blæse
- Dutch: blazen
- European Spanish: soplar
- Finnish: puhaltaa
- French: souffler
- German: blasen
- Greek: φυσώ
- Italian: soffiare
- Japanese: 吹く
- Korean: 불다
- Norwegian: blåse
- Polish: dmuchnąć
- European Portuguese: soprar
- Romanian: a sufla
- Russian: дуть
- Latin American Spanish: soplar
- Swedish: blåsa
- Thai: พัด
- Turkish: esmek
- Ukrainian: віяти
- Vietnamese: thổi
British English: blow
/bləʊ/ VERB
person When you blow, you push air out of your mouth.
He blew on his hands to keep them warm.
- American English: blow /ˈbloʊ/
- Arabic: يَنْفُخُ
- Brazilian Portuguese: soprar
- Chinese: 吹
- Croatian: puhati
- Czech: foukat
- Danish: puste
- Dutch: blazen
- European Spanish: soplar
- Finnish: puhaltaa
- French: souffler
- German: blasen
- Greek: φυσάω
- Italian: soffiare
- Japanese: ・・・に息を吐く
- Korean: 불다
- Norwegian: blåse
- Polish: dmuchać
- European Portuguese: soprar
- Romanian: a sufla
- Russian: дуть
- Latin American Spanish: soplar
- Swedish: blåsa
- Thai: เป่า
- Turkish: üflemek
- Ukrainian: дмухати
- Vietnamese: thổi
British English: blow
NOUN /bləʊ/
disappointment If something that happens is a blow to someone or something, it is very upsetting, disappointing, or damaging to them.
That ruling comes as a blow to environmentalists.
Browse alphabetically
blow
Source
Definition of blow from the Collins English Dictionary
Read about the team of authors behind Collins Dictionaries.
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
BUILDINGS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
florist
supermarket
town hall
school
BUILDINGS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
hairdresser
cathedral
hospital
museum
BUILDINGS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
café
hotel
leisure centre
cinema
BUILDINGS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
travel agent
theatre
cinema
town hall
Your score:
Word of the day
chortle
To chortle means to laugh in a way that shows you are very pleased .
Latest Word Submissions
Intellectiquette
May 06, 2024
Diaper Donny
May 06, 2024
Printerager
May 05, 2024
malinformation
May 04, 2024
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
FARM ANIMALS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
sheep
alpaca
pig
duck
FARM ANIMALS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
goose
alpaca
sheep
cow
Your score:
Learning English: Going shopping
Discover some useful English expressions to use while you're out at the shops in this week's Learning English blog.
Read more
Sting-Nettle Day
We're taking a closer look at the intriguing expressions and customs that have grown up around one of the most versatile plants out there - the stinging nettle.
Read more
Learning English: Saying goodbye
Learn informal ways to say goodbye in British English - from 'Goodbye' to 'See ya!' with examples and tips for everyday use.
Read more
Scrabble: Spoilt for Choice
Strategize your Scrabble moves based on anagrams on the board, score, vowel placement, and hooks to get the best score you can.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more