blow
/bləʊ/ IELTSAcademic
verb
If the wind blows, it moves air. If you blow, you send air out of your mouth. It can also mean that something is damaged by moving air.
- The wind was blowing hard last night.
- She blew on her tea to cool it.
- The storm blew the roof off.
noun
A blow is a hard hit. It can also mean a sudden shock or disappointment.
- He got a hard blow on the shoulder.
- Losing the job was a big blow.
- That news was a real blow to us.
Adinary Nuance
Blow is broader than many near-neighbors. As a verb, it can mean moving air, breathing air out, or causing movement, while words like 'breathe' and 'huff' are more specific. As a noun, 'blow' is usually a hit or a setback, while 'hit' is more physical and 'shock' focuses more on the feeling.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thổi
- Spanish
- soplar
- Chinese
- 吹
- Japanese
- 吹く
- Korean
- 불다
Etymology
Old English blāwan meant 'to blow, breathe, or bloom'. The noun sense of a hit developed later in English, and both senses are still common today.
Common phrases
blow the whistleblow your noseblow awaya blow to
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is blow a formal word?
- No, it is common in everyday English. It also appears often in news and academic writing in phrases like 'a blow to'.
- What is the difference between blow and hit?
- A blow is a strong hit, often felt as damage or impact. Hit is the more general word.
- Can blow mean disappointment?
- Yes. In phrases like 'a blow to his plans', it means a sudden setback or disappointment.
- How do I use blow with wind?
- Use it for moving air: 'The wind is blowing.' It describes air moving through space.