1
a
: the flower of a seed plant
apple blossoms
also
: the mass of such flowers on a single plant
b
: the state of bearing flowers
2
: a peak period or stage of development
blossomed; blossoming; blossoms
Synonyms
Examples of blossom in a Sentence
Noun
Her hair smelled of apple blossoms.
in the full blossom of her career as a writer
Verb
Their friendship blossomed into romance.
the fruit tree seemed to blossom overnight once the warm spring weather arrived
Recent Examples on the Web
Megan Wood, Travel + Leisure, 14 Nov. 2023
The beautiful gold tin includes 12 sachets of organic, non-caffeinated chamomile tea with hints of linden blossom, passionflower and jujube seed, that combine to make a stress-busting blend.
—Sarah Rose, wsj.com, 2 Nov. 2023
The green tree outside my window grew white overnight, heavy with blossoms.
—Grady Chambers, The Atlantic, 1 Nov. 2023
The garden is also home to an iris field, cherry blossoms, a large pond, and foliage that attracts visitors in the autumn.
—Maria Geyman, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2023
Autumn sunflower and peony blossoms in varied stages of bloom layer atop the textural leafy base alongside tempting-to-touch cotton stems.
—Staff Author, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2023
Notes: Substitutions: If using Agua de Azahar Orange Flower Water, use ⅓ cup milk plus 3 tablespoons of the orange blossom water.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2023
Arrange the slices on a platter, sprinkle with orange blossom water and dust with sugar.
—David Tanis, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2023
As with common camellia, prune soon after its last blossoms drop.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2023
Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Nov. 2023
Since then, Trolls has blossomed into a franchise with sequels, holiday specials, video games, books and more.
—Keith Langston, Peoplemag, 14 Nov. 2023
What started as a request for Metro to work on a few songs for the project blossomed into a role as the soundtrack’s executive producer — along with a cameo role voicing his own character in the multiverse, the Metro Spider.
—Kenan Draughorne, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2023
Buffett’s reputation in the public mind blossomed in the early 1990s after he was chosen to clean up a mess at Salomon Brothers.
—Robert Faturechi, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2023
Brittany’s friendship with Swift has continued to blossom since the singer began spending time with Travis Kelce last month.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 28 Oct. 2023
Their efforts blossomed into a statewide campaign that led to the passage of Assembly Bill 436, sponsored by San Diego Assemblymember David Alvarez.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2023
And from that audition blossomed a friendship that spawned one meme-able dinner.
—Vulture, 15 Oct. 2023
Four out of the five acts are Mexican or of Mexican descent, a testament of the ever-expanding Mexican movement that has blossomed throughout 2023.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2023
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Noun
The jacaranda trees burst into bloom, painting the streets with their enchanting violet blossoms, creating an atmosphere of pure magic.
—Megan Wood, Travel + Leisure, 14 Nov. 2023
The beautiful gold tin includes 12 sachets of organic, non-caffeinated chamomile tea with hints of linden blossom, passionflower and jujube seed, that combine to make a stress-busting blend.
—Sarah Rose, wsj.com, 2 Nov. 2023
The green tree outside my window grew white overnight, heavy with blossoms.
—Grady Chambers, The Atlantic, 1 Nov. 2023
The garden is also home to an iris field, cherry blossoms, a large pond, and foliage that attracts visitors in the autumn.
—Maria Geyman, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2023
Autumn sunflower and peony blossoms in varied stages of bloom layer atop the textural leafy base alongside tempting-to-touch cotton stems.
—Staff Author, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2023
Notes: Substitutions: If using Agua de Azahar Orange Flower Water, use ⅓ cup milk plus 3 tablespoons of the orange blossom water.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2023
Arrange the slices on a platter, sprinkle with orange blossom water and dust with sugar.
—David Tanis, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2023
As with common camellia, prune soon after its last blossoms drop.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2023
Verb
Rhys’ career on stage blossomed (highlights, alongside King Lear, include playing Hamlet at the Old Vic and winning a Critics Circle award for Measure for Measure) alongside a growing assortment of TV work (including parts in Luther, Victoria and, most recently, A Discovery of Witches).
—Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Nov. 2023
Since then, Trolls has blossomed into a franchise with sequels, holiday specials, video games, books and more.
—Keith Langston, Peoplemag, 14 Nov. 2023
What started as a request for Metro to work on a few songs for the project blossomed into a role as the soundtrack’s executive producer — along with a cameo role voicing his own character in the multiverse, the Metro Spider.
—Kenan Draughorne, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2023
Buffett’s reputation in the public mind blossomed in the early 1990s after he was chosen to clean up a mess at Salomon Brothers.
—Robert Faturechi, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2023
Brittany’s friendship with Swift has continued to blossom since the singer began spending time with Travis Kelce last month.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 28 Oct. 2023
Their efforts blossomed into a statewide campaign that led to the passage of Assembly Bill 436, sponsored by San Diego Assemblymember David Alvarez.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2023
And from that audition blossomed a friendship that spawned one meme-able dinner.
—Vulture, 15 Oct. 2023
Four out of the five acts are Mexican or of Mexican descent, a testament of the ever-expanding Mexican movement that has blossomed throughout 2023.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'blossom.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English blosme, from Old English blōstm; akin to Old English blōwan
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of blossom was
before the 12th century
Articles Related to blossom
Dictionary Entries Near blossom
Cite this Entry
“Blossom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blossom. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
blossom
1 of 2 noun
blos·som
ˈbläs-əm 
1
: the flower of a seed plant
apple blossoms
also
: the mass of such flowers on a single plant
a light blossom on the rose bush
3
: a peak period or stage of development
blossom
2 of 2 verb2
: to grow and do well
students who blossom in college
More from Merriam-Webster on blossom
Nglish: Translation of blossom for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of blossom for Arabic Speakers
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