blessing

/ˈblesɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈblesɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈble-siŋ/ (ame, mw)

blessing — noun

1. a prayer asking God to protect or help a person, group, or occasion, or the help

1.名詞
釋義

a prayer asking God to protect or help a person, group, or occasion, or the help believed to come from that prayer.

例句

The bishop gave a blessing before the new hospital opened.

give a blessing before + event

The family asked for God's blessing before leaving the village.

ask for God's blessing

同義詞
  • benediction

    more formal and strongly tied to church language

  • grace

    usually the short prayer said before a meal

  • prayer

    much broader; a blessing specifically asks for divine favor or protection

文法句型

say a blessing

ask for God's blessing on + person

give a blessing before + event

用法筆記

Often appears with verbs like give, say, ask for, or seek in religious settings. It can name either the spoken prayer itself or the divine protection people believe follows it.

常見錯誤

❌We said blessing before dinner.
✅We said a blessing before dinner.
💡when you mean one short prayer, this noun usually needs an article.

2. something unexpectedly good that keeps trouble away or makes life easier.

2.名詞
釋義

something unexpectedly good that keeps trouble away or makes life easier.

例句

It was a blessing that the train stopped before the broken bridge.

it is a blessing that + clause

For Hana, the extra week at home was a blessing.

同義詞
  • godsend

    stronger and more informal; suggests help arriving at exactly the right time

  • boon

    more formal; often used in writing for something very helpful

  • benefit

    broader and more neutral; not always tied to luck

反義詞
  • curse

    something that brings repeated trouble instead of relief

  • burden

    something that makes life harder rather than easier

文法句型

it is a blessing that + clause

be a blessing for + person

feel like a blessing

用法筆記

Common after danger, delay, illness, or another difficulty, especially in the pattern 'It was a blessing that ...'. Distinguish from sense 3, which is about someone's permission or support, not good luck.

常見錯誤

❌It was a blessing for no one to be hurt.
✅It was a blessing that no one was hurt.
💡English often uses a that-clause when the lucky part is a whole result.

3. someone's clear agreement that a plan, marriage, or decision may go ahead.

3.名詞
釋義

someone's clear agreement that a plan, marriage, or decision may go ahead.

例句

The board gave its blessing to the museum expansion last night.

give your blessing to + plan

Without Aunt Rosa's blessing, Diego delayed the wedding plans.

同義詞
  • approval

    the broad everyday word; 'blessing' sounds warmer or more personal

  • consent

    more formal and often used when permission is required

  • backing

    stresses active support, not just permission

  • permission

    focuses on being allowed to act; 'blessing' often adds emotional support

反義詞
  • objection

    shows that someone does not want the action to happen

  • refusal

    clear decision not to allow or support something

文法句型

give your blessing to + plan

with someone's blessing

seek someone's blessing

用法筆記

Usually follows give, have, get, or seek, and the person or group giving approval is often named. Distinguish from sense 1: this use is secular permission or support, not a religious prayer.

常見錯誤

❌My parents blessed to the move.
✅My parents gave their blessing to the move.
💡for approval, English usually uses the noun phrase 'give your blessing to'.