blessed

/'blesid/

Friendly

The word "blessed" is an adjective that can describe someone or something that is happy, fortunate, or deserving of admiration. Here’s a simple breakdown of its meanings and usage:

Basic Meaning:

1. Characterized by Happiness and Good Fortune: When someone is described as "blessed," it often means they have good things in their life, such as love, health, or success. For example, you might say, "I feel blessed to have such wonderful friends."

2. Religious Context: In religious terms, "blessed" can refer to someone who is recognized as holy or worthy of worship. For example, in Christianity, saints are often referred to as the "blessed."

Usage Instructions:

• "Blessed" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. In casual speech, it is often pronounced as "blesst" (one syllable), while in a more formal or religious context, it may be pronounced as "bless-ed" (two syllables).

Examples:

• "We had a blessed time at the family reunion." (meaning a happy time)
• "She felt blessed after receiving good news about her job." (meaning fortunate)
• "The church honors the blessed saints." (meaning holy or venerated ones)

Advanced Usage:

• In literature or poetry, "blessed" can be used to evoke a sense of peace or happiness that comes from divine favor. For example, "In the blessed silence of the night, she found her thoughts drifting."

Word Variants:

• Bless (verb): To confer happiness or good fortune upon someone. Example: "May you be blessed with joy."
• Blessing (noun): A beneficial thing for which one is grateful. Example: "His health is a blessing."

Different Meanings:

• "Blessed" can sometimes be used informally as an intensifier in expressions of frustration or emphasis. For example, "I can’t find a blessed thing in this mess!"

Synonyms:

• Fortunate
• Happy
• Favored
• Holy (in a religious context)
• Sacred (in a religious context)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• Count your blessings: This means to be thankful for what you have. Example: "Even when times are tough, it's important to count your blessings."
• A blessed event: Often used to refer to a birth or a joyous occasion.

Academic

Adjective

1. characterized by happiness and good fortune
   • a blessed time
2. enjoying the bliss of heaven
3. Roman Catholic; proclaimed one of the blessed and thus worthy of veneration
4. expletives used informally as intensifiers
   • he's a blasted idiot
   • it's a blamed shame
   • a blame cold winter
   • not a blessed dime
   • I'll be damned (or blessed or darned or goddamned) if I'll do any such thing
   • he's a damn (or goddam or goddamned) fool
   • a deuced idiot
   • an infernal nuisance
5. worthy of worship
   • the Blessed Trinity
6. highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)
   • our blessed land
   • the blessed assurance of a steady income

Synonyms

• beatified
• Blessed
• blest