Langimage
English

blows

|blows|

B1

🇺🇸

/bloʊz/

🇬🇧

/bləʊz/

(blow)

forceful air movement

Base FormPlural3rd Person Sing.PastPast ParticiplePresent ParticipleNounAdjective
blowblowsblowsblewblownblowingblowsblown
Etymology
Etymology Information

'blow' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'blāwan', where the root meant 'to blow, to breathe'.

Historical Evolution

'blow' changed from the Old English word 'blāwan' to Middle English forms such as 'blowen' and eventually became the modern English word 'blow'. It is related to Old Norse 'blása' and German 'blasen'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'to breathe or move air,' but over time it extended to mean 'a strike or hit' and many figurative senses such as 'to fail' or 'to astonish'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

plural of 'blow': a hard hit or strike (usually physical).

The boxer landed several blows to his opponent's head.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Noun 2

plural of 'blow': gusts or bursts of wind.

Strong north-east blows are expected tonight.

Synonyms

gustspuffs

Verb 1

third-person singular present of 'blow': (of wind or breath) to move or cause to move by the action of air.

The wind blows strongly along the coast.

Synonyms

gusts (for wind)sighs (for breath)

Verb 2

third-person singular present of 'blow': to expel air through the mouth, often to extinguish a flame.

She blows the candle out every year on her birthday.

Synonyms

Verb 3

third-person singular present of 'blow': to play (a wind instrument) or produce sound by breath.

He blows the trumpet in the marching band.

Synonyms

play (a wind instrument)

Verb 4

third-person singular present of 'blow' (informal): to fail, ruin, or waste an opportunity.

She often blows important chances by hesitating.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/11/04 03:09