bloom

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈblüm 

1

: a mass of wrought iron from the forge or puddling furnace

2

: a bar of iron or steel hammered or rolled from an ingot

bloom

2 of 3

noun (2)

plural blooms

1

a

: blossom sense 1a, flower

b

: the flowering state

the roses are in bloom

c

: a period of flowering

the spring bloom

d(1)

: a rapid and excessive growth of a plankton population (as of algae or dinoflagellates) compare red tide

(2)

: a large aggregation of free-swimming organisms : swarm

a jellyfish bloom

2

a

: a state or time of beauty, freshness, and vigor

b

: a state or time of high development or achievement

a career in full bloom

3

: a surface coating or appearance: such as

a

: a delicate powdery coating on some fruits and leaves

b

: a rosy appearance of the cheeks

broadly : an outward evidence of freshness or healthy vigor

c

: a cloudiness on a film of varnish or lacquer

d

: a grayish discoloration on chocolate

e

: glare caused by an object reflecting too much light into a television camera

bloom

3 of 3

verb

bloomed; blooming; blooms

intransitive verb

1

a

: to produce or yield flowers

b

: to support abundant plant life

make the desert bloom

2

a(1)

: to mature into achievement of one's potential

(2)

: to flourish in youthful beauty, freshness, or excellence

b

: to shine out : glow

c

: to become more apparent or fully expressed (as in flavor or aroma)

In all classic sauces and dressings, good oil is the base from which delectable flavors bloom.

—Renée Loux Underkoffler

3

: to appear or occur unexpectedly or in remarkable quantity or degree

4

: to become densely populated with microorganisms and especially plankton

—used of bodies of water

transitive verb

1

obsolete : to cause to bloom

2

: to give bloom to

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• blossom
• florescence
• floruit
• flower
• flush
• heyday
• high noon
• prime
• salad days
• springtime

Verb

• blossom
• blow
• burgeon
• bourgeon
• effloresce
• flower
• unfold

Examples of bloom in a Sentence

Verb

flowers blooming in the garden

Their love was just beginning to bloom.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The florals come in three sizes: original (with 17 mixed stems), deluxe (for double the blooms), and grand (which gets you 51 mixed stems). —Megan Schaltegger, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2024

Quite possibly unique among flowering plants, the blooms of the butterfly rose change color from sulfur yellow to apricot to pink to crimson. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 26 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English blome lump of metal, from Old English blōma

Noun (2)

Middle English blome, from Old Norse blōm; akin to Old English blōwan to blossom — more at blow

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing bloom

• come in/into bloom
• in bloom
• in full bloom
• water bloom

Kids Definition

bloom

1 of 2 noun

ˈblüm 

1

a

: blossom entry 1 sense 1

b

: the period or state of flowering

the roses are in bloom

c

: an excessive growth of plankton

2

a

: blossom entry 1 sense 3

b

: a state or time of beauty, freshness, and strength

3

a

: a delicate powdery coating especially on some fruits and leaves

b

: a rosy appearance of the cheeks

bloom

2 of 2 verb

1

: to produce flowers : blossom

2

a

: blossom entry 2 sense 2

b

: to be in a state of youthful beauty or freshness : flourish

3

: to glow with rosy color

bloomer noun

Biographical Definition

Bloom

biographical name

ˈblüm 

Harold 1930–2019 American literary critic