blow

[bləʊ]

[bloʊ]

Language▾

German

Persian

Russian

Spanish

blows - blow

A blow is a sudden movement of air that can make things move or change.

When we talk about blowing something, like a leaf in the wind, it means making it move from one place to another by pushing with our breath. But if you hear someone say "blow on your hand", they're probably asking you to warm their hand up by breathing gently on it - it's a way of giving them warmth without actually touching their skin. People also talk about blowing things like bubbles, which are light and float away when we let them go. We can even talk about a strong blow from the wind that knocks things over or makes it hard to walk outside.

How common is "blow"?

Word blow is considered common in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

noun

A strong wind.
Example: We're having a bit of a blow this afternoon.
A chance to catch one’s breath.
Example: The players were able to get a blow during the last timeout.
Cocaine.
Cannabis.
(US Chicago Regional) Heroin.

1 / 5

snow

verb

To produce an air current.
To propel by an air current.
Example: Blow the dust off that book and open it up.
To be propelled by an air current.
Example: The leaves blow through the streets in the fall.
To create or shape by blowing; as in to blow bubbles, to blow glass.
To force a current of air upon with the mouth, or by other means.
Example: to blow the fire
To clear of contents by forcing air through.
Example: to blow an egg
To cause to make sound by blowing, as a musical instrument.
To make a sound as the result of being blown.
Example: In the harbor, the ships' horns blew.
(of a cetacean) To exhale visibly through the spout the seawater which it has taken in while feeding.
Example: There she blows! (i.e. "I see a whale spouting!")
To explode.
Example: Get away from that burning gas tank! It's about to blow!
(with "up" or with prep phrase headed by "to") To cause to explode, shatter, or be utterly destroyed.
Example: The aerosol can was blown to bits.
To cause sudden destruction of.
Example: He blew the tires and the engine.
To suddenly fail destructively.
Example: He tried to sprint, but his ligaments blew and he was barely able to walk to the finish line.
(used to express displeasure or frustration) Damn.
To be very undesirable. (See also suck.)
Example: This blows!
To recklessly squander.
Example: I blew $35 thou on a car.
To fellate; to perform oral sex on (usually a man)
Example: Who did you have to blow to get those backstage passes?
To leave, especially suddenly or in a hurry.
Example: Let's blow this joint.
To make flyblown, to defile, especially with fly eggs.
To spread by report; to publish; to disclose.
To inflate, as with pride; to puff up.
To breathe hard or quick; to pant; to puff.
To put out of breath; to cause to blow from fatigue.
Example: to blow a horse
To talk loudly; to boast; to storm.
To sing.
Example: That girl has a wonderful voice; just listen to her blow!
To leave the Church of Scientology in an unauthorized manner.

1 / 26

Real examples of "blows" in context

Black Hole Star – The Star That Shouldn't Exist

Entertainment

The super hot material creates radiation that blows away most of the food within its reach.

5:47

As we said before, when a star is born, it blows away the gas cloud that created it.

3:30

Ryan Reynolds Shows Up Instead of Will Ferrell | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Interview

Who, who blows this off?

2:06

Jennifer Lawrence Replies to Fans on the Internet | Actually Me | GQ

Interview

The idea of that and what somebody tried to explain to me blows my mind that that could exist. It makes no sense.

3:44

Bob Odenkirk Has a Fire in His Belly While Eating Spicy Wings | Hot Ones

Interview

But I've never understood, you know, like the pure, hot shit that just, like, blows your brain out.

0:51

blow

How common is "blow"?

noun

verb

Real examples of "blows" in context

Black Hole Star – The Star That Shouldn't Exist

Ryan Reynolds Shows Up Instead of Will Ferrell | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Jennifer Lawrence Replies to Fans on the Internet | Actually Me | GQ

Bob Odenkirk Has a Fire in His Belly While Eating Spicy Wings | Hot Ones

Save 'blows' to your personal vocabulary and increase your knowledge with smart tests!