ablush

She felt ablush when he complimented her painting.

Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Blushing; reddened in the face from shame, embarrassment, or modesty: "ablush" describes a state where someone's face is flushed with color, typically due to a feeling of self-consciousness or humility.
   • Usage note: This word is often used as a predicate adjective (e.g., "She was all ablush") rather than before a noun.

2. Adverb (rare):

   • In a blushing manner; with a reddened face: "ablush" can modify a verb to indicate that an action is done while blushing.
   • Usage note: This adverbial use is less common but appears in literary or poetic contexts.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The young girl stood ablush as the audience applauded her performance. (Her face was red with embarrassment from the praise.)
  • He turned ablush when she complimented his kindness. (His cheeks became red due to modesty or shame.)

• Adverb:

  • She smiled ablush and looked down at her hands. (She smiled while her face was flushed with shyness.)

Advanced Usage

• "all ablush": an intensified form meaning completely blushing.

  • The bride was all ablush as she walked down the aisle. (Her face was entirely reddened with emotion.)

• "ablush with ...": used to specify the cause of the blush.

  • His cheeks were ablush with pride after the award. (His face was red from a feeling of pride, not shame.)

Variants and Related Words

• Blush (v/n): the root word meaning to become red in the face, or the act of doing so.

  • She began to blush when she realized her mistake. (She started to turn red.)

• Blushing (adj): describing someone who is currently blushing.

  • The blushing child hid behind her mother. (The child was red-faced from shyness.)

Synonyms

• Red-faced: having a red face, especially from embarrassment or anger.
• Flushed: reddened in the face, often from emotion or physical exertion.
• Ruddy: having a healthy red color, though not necessarily from blushing.

Related Idioms

• "Blush like a schoolgirl": to blush in a very obvious or naive way, often due to flattery or shyness.

  • He blushed like a schoolgirl when she called him handsome. (He turned very red, as if inexperienced with compliments.)

• "Save someone's blushes": to prevent someone from feeling embarrassed.

  • Thank you for not mentioning my mistake — you saved my blushes. (You spared me from embarrassment.)