blush

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

• glow
• flush
• crimson

Examples of blush in a Sentence

He blushed at the compliment.

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Cue a raft of social media fancams showing a blushing Mary Bennet being pursued by her handsome, Regency-era bachelors. —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026

That is all that stood between Gabe Landeskog and an ending that would make Disney executives blush. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 27 May 2026

The blushing singer was snapped getting a sweet smooch on the cheek from her big brother while backstage. —John Russell, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026

Foxgloves are a beloved biennial with spikes of tubular flowers blooming in blushing pink and purple tints. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

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