First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1blow
verb \ˈblō\
blew \ˈblü\ blown \ˈblōn\ blow·ing
Definition of BLOW
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>
4
a : boast b : to talk windily
5
6
: to move or be carried by or as if by wind <just blew into town>
7
transitive 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) b : to play (as a note) on a wind instrument
3
a : to spread by report b past participle blowed \ˈblōd\ : 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 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
7
: to shatter, burst, or destroy by explosion <blow the safe open>
8
a : to put out of breath with exertion b : to let (as a horse) pause to catch the breath
9
a : to expend (as money) extravagantly b : to treat with unusual expenditure <I'll blow you to a steak>
10
: to cause (a fuse) to blow
11
: to rupture by too much pressure <blow a seal>
12
a : botch 1 <blew her lines> b : to fail to keep or hold <they blew a big lead>
13
: to leave hurriedly <blew town>
14
: to propel with great force or speed <blew a fastball by the batter>
— blow a gasket
: to become enraged
— blow hot and cold
: to be favorable at one moment and adverse the next
— blow off steam
: to release pent-up emotions
— blow one's cool
: to lose one's composure
— blow one's cover
: to reveal one's real identity
— blow one's mind
: to overwhelm one with wonder or bafflement
— blow one's top or blow one's stack
1
: to become violently angry
2
: to go crazy
— blow smoke
: to speak idly, misleadingly, or boastfully
— blow the whistle
: to call public or official attention to something (as a wrongdoing) kept secret —usually used with on
Origin of BLOW
Middle English, from Old English blāwan; akin to Old High German blāen to blow, Latin flare, Greek phallos penis
2blow
noun
Definition of BLOW
1
: a blowing of wind especially when strong or violent
3
: an act or instance of blowing
4
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
First Known Use of BLOW
1651
3blow
verb
blew \ˈblü\ blown \ˈblōn\ blow·ing
Definition of BLOW
intransitive verb
Origin of BLOW
Middle English, from Old English blōwan; akin to Old High German bluoen to bloom, Latin florēre to bloom, flor-, flos flower
First Known Use: before 12th century
4blow
noun
5blow
noun
Definition of BLOW
1
: a forcible stroke delivered with a part of the body or with an instrument
2
: a hostile act or state : combat <come to blows>
3
: a forcible or sudden act or effort : assault
4
: an unfortunate or calamitous happening <failure to land the job came as a blow>
Origin of BLOW
Middle English (northern dialect) blaw; probably akin to Old High German bliuwan to beat
First Known Use: 15th century
BLOWS Defined for Kids
1blow
verb \ˈblō\
blew \ˈblü\blown \ˈblōn\blow·ing
Definition of BLOW for Kids
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·er \ˈblō-ər\ noun
— blow over
: to pass without effect <His anger will blow over.>
— blow up
1
: explode 1
2
: to fill with a gas <blow up a balloon>
2blow
noun
Definition of BLOW for Kids
: a blowing of wind : gale
3blow
noun
Definition of BLOW for Kids
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.>
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