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blush

blush

 
 
pronunciation:
bluhsh
parts of speech:
intransitive verb, transitive verb, noun
phrases:
at first blush
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word History, Word Explorer
part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: blushes, blushing, blushed
definition 1: to become red in the face as an involuntary expression of shame, confusion, or other self-conscious discomfort.
She blushed when he looked up at her and she realized she'd been staring at him.
synonyms:
color, flush, redden
similar words:
mantle
definition 2: to experience embarrassment or shame (usu. fol. by "at" or "for").
She blushed at his remark about her skirt.Her father's behavior was coarse and ill-mannered, and she blushed for him.
similar words:
redden, squirm
definition 3: to show pink or red color.
His cheeks blushed when he received the compliment.
synonyms:
glow, redden
similar words:
color, flush, mantle
 
part of speech: transitive verb
definition: to make pink or red; flush.
Modesty blushed her cheeks a deep crimson.
synonyms:
flush, redden
similar words:
color
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: noun
definition 1: the act of becoming red in the face, esp. from shame or embarrassment.
He hoped no one had taken notice of his blush.
synonyms:
color, flush
definition 2: a pinkish or rosy color.
A blush spread over her cheeks when she realized her blunder.
synonyms:
pink, rose
similar words:
apricot, bloom, peach, red, salmon
definition 3: a powder or moist makeup for highlighting the cheekbones; blusher.
If you wear too much blush, you'll look like a clown.
synonyms:
blusher, rouge
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
phrase: at first blush
derivations: blushing (adj.), blushingly (adv.)
Word History
The word blush comes from a word in early English that meant "to become red" or "glow." William Shakespeare was the first to use "blush" for a reddening of the face.
Word Explorer
See
  color, emotion, face