\ ˈblō
\
\
blew\
ˈblü
\; blown\
ˈblōn
\; blowing
\; blown\
ˈblōn
\; blowing
Definition of blow
(Entry 1 of 5)
1a
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.
3a
: to make a sound by or as if by blowing
hear the train blow
4a
: boast
blowing about his accomplishments
b
: to talk in an empty or boastful way
… if it wasn't true, and he was just blowing, it wouldn't be so hard to take.— James Jones
b
of a cetacean
: to eject moisture-laden air from the lungs through the blowhole
heard a whale blow nearby
6
: to move or be carried by or as if by wind
just blew into town for the weekend
b
: to become damaged or destroyed as a result of an electrical overload
The fuse blew. A Western Massachusetts Electric Company power substation blew yesterday afternoon, cutting power for 90 minutes to more than 9,100 customers …— Patrick Johnson
c
of a tire
: to release the contained air through a spontaneous rupture
—usually used with out blew out a tire
1a
: 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.
2a
: to play or sound on (a wind instrument)
blow their horns
b
: to play (something) on a wind instrument
blow a tune
3a
: to spread by report
… through the court his courtesy was blown …— John Dryden
4a
: 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
5a
: to distend with or as if with gas
blow a balloon
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
wounds blown by flies
7
: to shatter, burst, or destroy by explosion
blow the safe open
8a
: to put out of breath with exertion
Take care not to blow the horses.
b
: to let (an animal, such as a horse) pause to catch the breath
paused to blow the horses
9a
: to expend (something, such as money) extravagantly
blew her allowance on a pair of jeans
b
: to treat with unusual expenditure
I'll blow you to a steak.
10
: to cause (a fuse) to blow
blew a fuse
11
: to rupture by too much pressure
blow a seal
12a
: botch sense 1
actors blowing their lines
b
: to fail to keep or hold
They blew a big lead.
c
: to lose or miss (an opportunity) because of mistakes or poor judgment
blow a chance to make a good impression
13
: to leave hurriedly
blew town
14
: to propel with great force or speed
blew a fastball by the batter
15
US, informal
: to drive or speed through or past (a traffic signal or stop sign) without stopping
He blew several red lights and stop signs before smashing into a pole and a fence, cops said.— Jessica Simeone et al.
blow a gasket
blow chunks
blow hot and cold
blow off steam
blow one's cool
blow one's cover
blow one's mind
blow one's top
or blow one's stack
blow smoke
blow the whistle
: to become enraged
slang
: vomit sense 1
The basement is the sort of dim, subterranean space the players don't seem to mind trashing, and every now and then, one of them will turn to a corner and urinate or blow chunks.— Jonathon Blum
: to be favorable at one moment and adverse the next
: to release pent-up emotions
: to lose one's composure
: to reveal one's real identity
: to overwhelm one with wonder or bafflement
an idea that's sure to blow your mind
1
: to become violently angry
2
: to go crazy
: to speak idly, misleadingly, or boastfully
: to call public or official attention to something (such as a wrongdoing) kept secret
—usually used with on blew the whistle on the firm's unethical practices
blow
noun (1)Definition of blow (Entry 2 of 5)
1
: an instance of air moving with speed or force : a blowing of wind especially when strong or violent
3
: an act or instance of blowing (see blow entry 1)
gave his nose a good blow a blow of the horn
4
metallurgy
a
: the time during which air is forced through molten metal to refine it
b
: the quantity of metal refined during that time
blow
verb (2)
blew\
ˈblü
\; blown\
ˈblōn
\; blowing
\; blown\
ˈblōn
\; blowing
Definition of blow (Entry 3 of 5)
blow
noun (2)Definition of blow (Entry 4 of 5)
1
: blossoms
2
: bloom entry 2 sense 1b
lilacs in full blow
blow
noun (3)Definition of blow (Entry 5 of 5)
1
: a forcible stroke delivered with a part of the body (such as the fist) or with an instrument
a mighty blow with his club boxers exchanging blows
2
: a hostile act or state : combat
nations coming to blows
3
: a forcible or sudden act or effort : assault
… such a language … would solve many of his … difficulties at a single blow.— Edward Sapir
4
: an unfortunate or calamitous happening
failure to land the job came as a blow
Synonyms for blow
Synonyms: Verb (1)
Synonyms: Noun (1)
Synonyms: Verb (2)
Synonyms: Noun (3)
- bang,
- bash,
- bat,
- beat,
- belt,
- biff,
- bop,
- box,
- buffet,
- bust,
- chop,
- clap,
- clip,
- clout,
- crack,
- cuff,
- dab,
- douse
- [British],
- fillip,
- hack,
- haymaker,
- hit,
- hook,
- knock,
- larrup
- [dialect],
- lash,
- lick,
- pelt,
- pick,
- plump,
- poke,
- pound,
- punch,
- rap,
- slam,
- slap,
- slug,
- smack,
- smash,
- sock,
- spank,
- stinger,
- stripe,
- stroke,
- swat,
- swipe,
- switch,
- thud,
- thump,
- thwack,
- wallop,
- welt,
- whack,
- wham,
- whop
- (also whap)
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Cite this Entry
“Blow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blow. Accessed 16 Aug. 2022.
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More Definitions for blow
blow
verb
\ ˈblō
\
\
blew\
ˈblü
\; blown\
ˈblōn
\; blowing
Kids Definition of blow
(Entry 1 of 3)
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 over
blow up
: to pass without effect
His anger will blow over.
1
: explode sense 1
2
: to fill with a gas
blow up a balloon
blow
nounKids Definition of blow (Entry 2 of 3)
: a blowing of wind : gale
blow
nounKids Definition of blow (Entry 3 of 3)
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.
blow
transitive verb
\ ˈblō
\
\
blew\
ˈblü
\; blown\
ˈblōn
\; blowing
\; blown\
ˈblōn
\; blowing
Medical Definition of blow
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: to free (the nose) of mucus and debris by forcible exhalation
2
of blowflies and flesh flies
: to deposit eggs or larvae on or in
blow
nounMedical Definition of blow (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: the act of some insects of depositing eggs or larvae
also
: a larva so deposited (as in a wound)
—used chiefly of blowflies and flesh flies
2
: forcible ejection of air from the body (as in freeing the nose of mucus and debris)
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Time Traveler for blow
The first known use of blow was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century