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

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

Although Richards wore her hair in big curls, her natural beauty shined with light, rosy eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick. —Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Squeeze the liquid blush out of the dropper, and blend it easily over cheeks for a watercolor-like flush. —Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 1 Sep. 2025

Verb

In this bathroom, blush pink walls (Farrow & Ball Setting Plaster) are set off by navy blue trim (Hague Blue). —Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2025

Then, as twilight settles, fondue bubbles in timber inns, and the mountains blush with fading light. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 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