blush

1 of 2

noun

ˈbləsh 

1

: outward appearance : view

at first blush

2

: a reddening of the face especially from shame, modesty, or confusion

3

: a red or rosy tint

4

: a cosmetic applied to the face to give a usually pink color or to accent the cheekbones

blushful

ˈbləsh-fəl 

adjective

blush

2 of 2

verb

blushed; blushing; blushes

intransitive verb

1

: to become red in the face especially from shame, modesty, or confusion

2

: to feel shame or embarrassment

3

: to have a rosy or fresh color : bloom

Synonyms of blush

Noun

• color
• glow
• brightness
• bloom
• flush

Verb

• glow
• flush
• crimson

Examples of blush in a Sentence

Noun

The comment brought a blush to her cheeks.

The fruit is yellow, with a blush of pink.

She put on a little lipstick and blush.

Verb

He blushed at the compliment.

I blush to admit it, but you've caught me in an error.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There are now even Clinique Black Honey products for the face, including blush and mascara. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 3 Dec. 2025

The warmth of her blush brought out the taupe liner and rich amber gloss on her lips. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 2 Dec. 2025

Verb

After the pair leave the restaurant, a blushing Leigh makes a bit of a move on Jeffrey, shyly asking him out on a date. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 Nov. 2025

Her cheeks were only lightly blushed, as were her lips. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, probably from blusshen

Verb

Middle English blusshen, from Old English blyscan to redden; akin to Old English blȳsa flame, Old High German bluhhen to burn brightly

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing blush

• at first blush
• blush wine

Rhymes for blush

• brush
• crush
• flush
• gush
• hush
• lush
• mush
• plush
• shush
• slush
• thrush
• airbrush

Kids Definition

blush

1 of 2 verb

ˈbləsh 

1

: to become red in the face especially from shame, confusion, or embarrassment

2

: to feel shame or embarrassment

3

: to have a rosy color : bloom

blusher noun

blush

2 of 2 noun

1

: outward appearance : view

at first blush

2

: a reddening of the face especially from shame, confusion, or embarrassment

3

: a red or rosy tint

Medical Definition

blush

intransitive verb

ˈbləsh 

: to become red in the face especially from shame, modesty, or confusion

blush noun