Blow - English meaning

noun

A sudden loud, sharp noise.

Usage examples:

The door slammed with a bang

verb

Strike or put down (something) forcefully and noisily.

Usage examples:

He began to bang the table with his fist

adverb

Exactly.

Usage examples:

The train arrived bang on time

verb

Strike hard and violently.

Usage examples:

They bashed him over the head with a blunt object

noun

A heavy blow.

Usage examples:

A bash on the head

noun

An implement with a handle and a solid surface, typically of wood, used for hitting the ball in games such as cricket, baseball, and table tennis.

Usage examples:

A cricket bat

verb

(of a sports team or player) take the role of hitting rather than throwing the ball.

Usage examples:

Australia reached 263 for 4 after choosing to bat

noun

A mainly nocturnal mammal capable of sustained flight, with membranous wings that extend between the fingers and limbs.

Usage examples:

Small and furry, bats are the only mammals to have achieved powered flight.

noun

The action of striking repeatedly with hard blows.

Usage examples:

The south of england will take the heaviest battering

verb

Strike repeatedly with hard blows.

Usage examples:

A prisoner was battered to death with a table leg

verb

(of a wall) have a receding slope.

noun

A strip of leather or other material worn, typically round the waist, to support or hold in clothes or to carry weapons.

Usage examples:

He tightened his leather belt an extra notch

verb

Fasten with a belt.

Usage examples:

She belted her raincoat firmly

noun

A strip of leather or other material worn around the waist

Usage examples:

A black leather belt, the corn belt (= area known for growing corn), he belted the ball out of the …

verb

Make or cause to make a loud, harsh sound.

Usage examples:

The ambulance arrived outside, siren blaring

noun

A loud, harsh sound.

Usage examples:

A blare of trumpets

verb

To make a very loud noise

Usage examples:

Music blared from a radio., the siren’s blare was deafening.

noun

A destructive wave of highly compressed air spreading outwards from an explosion.

Usage examples:

They were thrown backwards by the blast

verb

Blow up or break apart (something solid) with explosives.

Usage examples:

The school was blasted by an explosion

exclamation

Expressing annoyance.

Usage examples:

‘blast! the car won't start!’

verb

Talk in a loud, aggressive, or indignant way with little effect.

Usage examples:

You threaten and bluster, but won't carry it through

noun

Loud, aggressive, or indignant talk with little effect.

Usage examples:

Their threats contained a measure of bluster

verb

Make or repair (something) badly or clumsily.

Usage examples:

The door was bodged together from old planks

noun

→  botch

verb

Carry out (a task) badly or carelessly.

Usage examples:

He was accused of botching the job

noun

A bungled task.

Usage examples:

I've probably made a botch of things

verb

To spoil something by doing it badly

Usage examples:

He thinks the police botched the investigation.

noun

A gentle wind.

Usage examples:

Tantalizing cooking smells wafted on the evening breeze

verb

Come or go in a casual or light-hearted manner.

Usage examples:

Roger breezed into her office

noun

Small cinders mixed with sand and cement to make breeze blocks.

noun

A meal consisting of several dishes from which guests serve themselves.

Usage examples:

A cold buffet lunch

verb

(especially of wind or waves) strike repeatedly and violently; batter.

Usage examples:

Rough seas buffeted the coast

noun

A blow or punch.

Usage examples:

Soothly, as he followed after me, i had a mind to turn about and deal him a buffet on the face, to …

verb

Carry out (a task) clumsily or incompetently.

Usage examples:

He bungled his first attempt to manage a group of professional players

noun

A task carried out in a clumsy or incompetent way.

Usage examples:

A series of bureaucratic bungles over his visa status

verb

To do something badly, or spoil something

Usage examples:

The police bungled the investigation.

noun

A flexible or spring-loaded device for holding an object or objects together or in place.

Usage examples:

He undid two clips and lifted the lid

verb

Fasten or be fastened with a clip or clips.

Usage examples:

She clipped on a pair of diamond earrings

noun

An act of clipping or trimming something.

Usage examples:

I gave him a full clip

noun

A heavy blow with the hand or a hard object.

Usage examples:

A clout round the ear

verb

Short for clout nail.

noun

Power and influence over other people or events

Usage examples:

The small firms banded together so they would have more clout in washington.

noun

A line on the surface of something along which it has split without breaking apart.

Usage examples:

A hairline crack down the middle of the glass

verb

Break or cause to break without a complete separation of the parts.

Usage examples:

The ice all over the bog had cracked

adjective

Very good or skilful.

Usage examples:

He is a crack shot

verb

(with reference to a feeling or emotion) disappear or cause to disappear.

Usage examples:

The concern she'd felt for him had wholly dissipated

verb

To disappear gradually, or to cause something to disappear gradually

Usage examples:

[ t ] it took months of effort to dissipate the oil spill in the north sea.

noun

A current of cool air in a room or other confined space.

Usage examples:

Heavy curtains at the windows cut out draughts

adjective

Denoting beer or cider served from a barrel or tank rather than from a bottle or can.

Usage examples:

Draught ale

verb

Prepare a preliminary version of (a document).

Usage examples:

I drafted a letter of resignation

noun

Soft fibres from fabrics such as wool or cotton which accumulate in small light clumps.

Usage examples:

He brushed his sleeve to remove the fluff

verb

Make (something) appear fuller and softer by shaking or brushing it.

Usage examples:

I fluffed up the pillows

noun

A soft mass of fibers, feathers, or hair

Usage examples:

Cotton fluff, the cat, a ball of white fluff, darted into the house and started to lick its fur., w…

noun

A small swirling mass of something, especially snow or leaves, moved by sudden gusts of wind.

Usage examples:

A flurry of snow

verb

(especially of snow or leaves) be moved in small swirling masses by sudden gusts of wind.

Usage examples:

Gusts of snow flurried through the door

noun

A sudden light fall of snow, blown in different directions by the wind

Usage examples:

Heavy snow will be tapering off to flurries in the morning., there was a flurry of excitement as th…

phrasal verb

Spend frivolously and unwisely

phrasal verb

To waste money, time, or an opportunity

Usage examples:

Retirees must plan how to fill their hours or they risk frittering the time away.

noun

A soft crumbly or chewy sweet made from sugar, butter, and milk or cream.

Usage examples:

There is nothing remotely healthy about the crumbly fudge from the burnt sugar sweet company but it…

verb

Present or deal with (something) in a vague or inadequate way, especially so as to conceal the truth or mislead.

Usage examples:

The authorities have fudged the issue

exclamation

Nonsense! (expressing disbelief or annoyance).

Usage examples:

‘you know how she despises me!’ ‘fudge! she dotes on you’

noun

A very strong wind.

Usage examples:

I slept well despite the howling gales outside

noun

A sudden strong rush of wind.

Usage examples:

As the players went back on to the court there were incredibly strong gusts of wind blowing through…

verb

(of the wind) blow in gusts.

Usage examples:

The wind was gusting through the branches of the tree

verb

Bring one's hand or a tool or weapon into contact with (someone or something) quickly and forcefully.

Usage examples:

The woman hit the mugger with her umbrella

noun

An instance of striking or being struck.

Usage examples:

Few structures can withstand a hit from a speeding car

verb

Deal a blow to, either with the hand or with an instrument

noun

A storm with a violent wind, in particular a tropical cyclone in the caribbean.

Usage examples:

A powerful hurricane hit the florida coast

proper noun

A single-seat, single-engined british fighter aircraft of the second world war, produced by the hawker company and remembered in particular for its role in the battle of britain along with the spitfire.

noun

A violent storm with strong circular winds of at least 72 miles (or 118 kilometers) per hour, esp. in the western atlantic ocean

verb

Push or shake (someone or something) abruptly and roughly.

Usage examples:

A surge in the crowd behind him jolted him forwards

noun

An abrupt rough or violent movement.

Usage examples:

He felt a jolt when the plane started to climb

verb

Move or cause to move with a sudden jerky motion

verb

Strike a surface noisily to attract attention, especially when waiting to be let in through a door.

Usage examples:

He strolled over and knocked on a door marked enquiries

noun

A sudden short sound caused by a blow, especially on a door to attract attention or gain entry.

Usage examples:

There was a sudden knock at the door, the noise seemingly unnatural and loud in the silence that i …

verb

To repeatedly hit something, producing a noise

Usage examples:

Someone is knocking at the door., jane knocked on the window to attract his attention., alice accid…

adjective

Sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious.

Usage examples:

A lavish banquet

verb

Bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities on.

Usage examples:

The media couldn't lavish enough praise on the film

adjective

Spending, giving, or using more than is necessary or reasonable; more than enough

Usage examples:

The team has the most lavish training facility in the league., they live in a lavishly furnished ap…

verb

Pass the tongue over (something) in order to taste, moisten, or clean it.

Usage examples:

He licked the stamp and stuck it on the envelope

noun

An act of licking something with the tongue.

Usage examples:

Sammy gave his fingers a lick

verb

Pass the tongue over

verb

Be deprived of or cease to have or retain (something).

Usage examples:

I've lost my appetite

verb

To not be able to find something

Usage examples:

I lost my keys somewhere in the house., two officers chased the suspect, but he turned down an alle…

verb

To no longer have something or have less of something, because it has been taken away from you, or you fail to keep it

Usage examples:

Manufacturing lost 11,000 jobs in june after several months of small increases., she was among 40 p…

verb

Spend (one's time or money) foolishly, wrongly, or wastefully.

Usage examples:

He was forced to resign following accusations of misspending public funds

verb

To use time or money in a way that wastes it or is not wise

Usage examples:

We must stop public money being misspent in this way., being a good pool player is usually a sign o…

verb

Go in a specified direction or manner; change position.

Usage examples:

She moved to the door

noun

A change of place, position, or state.

Usage examples:

She made a sudden move towards me

verb

Change location

noun

A tube made of fur or other warm material into which the hands are placed for warmth.

Usage examples:

Through salt lake city and middle america womenswear is urban grunge: purple muffs, denim waistcoat…

verb

Handle (a situation, task, or opportunity) clumsily or badly.

Usage examples:

They muffed several of their biggest projects

noun

A mistake or failure, especially a failure to catch or receive a ball cleanly in sport.

Usage examples:

‘the muff by snodgrass was only one link in a chain of strange events (leading to the red sox victo…

noun

A short, explosive burst of breath or wind.

Usage examples:

A puff of wind swung the weathercock round

verb

Breathe in repeated short gasps.

Usage examples:

Exercises that make you puff

verb

Strike with the fist.

Usage examples:

He punched her in the face and ran off

noun

A blow with the fist.

Usage examples:

He reeled under the well-aimed punch

verb

A device or machine for making holes in materials such as paper, leather, or metal.

noun

A full, deep, prolonged cry uttered by a lion or other large wild animal.

Usage examples:

She waited for the lion's roar

verb

(of a lion or other large wild animal) utter a full, deep, prolonged cry.

Usage examples:

We heard a lion roar

abbreviation

Right of admission reserved.

noun

The physical destruction or disintegration of something or the state of disintegrating or being destroyed.

Usage examples:

A large white house falling into gentle ruin

verb

Reduce (a building or place) to a state of decay, collapse, or disintegration.

Usage examples:

The castle was ruined when dynamite was used to demolish one of the corner towers

verb

To spoil or destroy something

Usage examples:

It would be a shame to ruin such a beautiful place., that guy isn’t going to ruin my life.

verb

Move with urgent haste.

Usage examples:

Oliver rushed after her

noun

A sudden quick movement towards something, typically by a number of people.

Usage examples:

There was a rush for the door

noun

An erect, tufted marsh or waterside plant resembling a sedge or grass, with inconspicuous greenish or brownish flowers. widely distributed in temperate areas, some kinds are used for matting, chair seats, and baskets.

Usage examples:

Then the land went down, and there was marsh of rushes and willow and hazel.

verb

Utter a high-pitched piercing sound or words, especially as an expression of terror, pain, or excitement.

Usage examples:

The audience shrieked with laughter

noun

A high-pitched piercing cry or sound; a scream.

Usage examples:

Shrieks of laughter

noun

A loud, high cry

Usage examples:

The shriek of sea gulls, she heard a high-pitched shriek., [ i ] we shrieked with laughter.

verb

(of liquid in a container) move irregularly with a splashing sound.

Usage examples:

Water in the boat sloshed about under our feet

noun

An act or sound of splashing.

Usage examples:

The distant slosh of the washing machine in the basement

verb

(of a liquid) to hit against the inside of a container, or to cause liquid to move around in this way

Usage examples:

[ i ] water sloshed over the sides of the pool as the children jumped in., [ t ] john sloshed juice…

noun

A sharp slap or blow, typically one given with the palm of the hand.

Usage examples:

She gave mark a smack across the face

verb

Strike (someone or something), typically with the palm of the hand and as a punishment.

Usage examples:

Jessica smacked his face, quite hard

adverb

In a sudden and violent way.

Usage examples:

I ran smack into the back of a parked truck

noun

A garment for the foot and lower part of the leg, typically knitted from wool, cotton, or nylon.

Usage examples:

In more formal settings, black over-the-calf stretch nylon cotton or wool socks are fitting.

verb

Hit forcefully.

Usage examples:

Jess socked his father across the face

verb

Hosiery consisting of a cloth covering for the foot

verb

Diminish or destroy the value or quality of.

Usage examples:

I wouldn't want to spoil your fun

noun

Goods stolen or taken forcibly from a person or place.

Usage examples:

The looters carried their spoils away

verb

To destroy or damage something, or to become destroyed or damaged

Usage examples:

[ t ] the oil spill spoiled five miles of coastline., [ t ] don’t tell me how it ends, you’ll spoil…

verb

Waste (something, especially money or time) in a reckless and foolish manner.

Usage examples:

£100m of taxpayers' money has been squandered on administering the tax

verb

To waste money, or to use something valuable that you have a limited amount of in a bad or foolish way

Usage examples:

Government should not squander the taxpayers’ money., don’t squander your opportunities when you ar…

verb

To waste large amounts of money or other resources

Usage examples:

Fifty-five percent of likely voters are convinced that much of the state's tax money is being squan…

noun

A violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually rain, thunder, lightning, or snow.

Usage examples:

These kinds of storms can produce rain, hail snow, thunder and lightning.

verb

Move angrily or forcefully in a specified direction.

Usage examples:

She burst into tears and stormed off

noun

An extreme weather condition with strong winds and heavy rain or snow

Usage examples:

The storm left over a foot of snow on the ground., the new rent regulations raised a storm of criti…

noun

An act of hitting or striking someone or something; a blow.

Usage examples:

He received three strokes of the cane

verb

Move one's hand with gentle pressure over (a surface), typically repeatedly; caress.

Usage examples:

He put his hand on her hair and stroked it

verb

A single complete movement

noun

A device by which a flow of liquid or gas from a pipe or container can be controlled.

Usage examples:

She turned the cold tap on

verb

Draw liquid through the tap or spout of (a cask, barrel, or other container).

Usage examples:

Several barrels had been tapped to celebrate old victories

noun

A quick light blow, or the sound of such a blow.

Usage examples:

There was a sharp tap at the door

noun

A violent windy storm.

Usage examples:

A raging tempest

noun

A violent storm

suffix

Forming ordinal and fractional numbers from four onwards.

Usage examples:

Fifth

suffix

(forming nouns from verbs) denoting an action or process.

Usage examples:

Birth

suffix

Variant spelling of -eth2 (as in doth ).

verb

Hit or strike heavily, especially with the fist or a blunt implement.

Usage examples:

Holman thumped the desk with his hand

noun

A dull, heavy blow with a person's fist or a blunt implement.

Usage examples:

I felt a thump on my back

verb

To hit something, making a soft, heavy noise

Usage examples:

[ t ] he thumped his chest., i heard a thump upstairs.

verb

Strike forcefully with a sharp blow.

Usage examples:

She thwacked the back of their knees with a cane

noun

A sharp blow.

Usage examples:

He hit it with a hefty thwack

noun

The short, loud sound of something like a stick hitting a surface

Usage examples:

I heard the thwack of the whip against the horse's side.

noun

A short, sharp sound made by a horn, trumpet, or similar instrument.

Usage examples:

An accidental toot from the saxophonist

verb

Sound (a horn or similar) with a short, sharp sound.

Usage examples:

An impatient motorist tooted a horn

noun

Violent or unsteady movement of air or water, or of some other fluid.

Usage examples:

The plane shuddered as it entered some turbulence

noun

A state of confusion and lack of order

Usage examples:

Political turbulence, his songs reflect the turbulence of his times., the plane ran into some turbu…

verb

Strike or hit very hard.

Usage examples:

They walloped the back of his head with a stick

noun

A heavy blow or punch.

Usage examples:

I gave it a wallop with my boot

verb

Use or expend carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose.

Usage examples:

We can't afford to waste electricity

adjective

(of a material, substance, or by-product) eliminated or discarded as no longer useful or required after the completion of a process.

Usage examples:

Ensure that waste materials are disposed of responsibly

noun

An act or instance of using or expending something carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose.

Usage examples:

It's a waste of time trying to argue with him

verb

Strike forcefully with a sharp blow.

Usage examples:

His attacker whacked him on the head

noun

A sharp or resounding blow.

Usage examples:

With a few whacks and some loud whistles, they drove the animals away

verb

The act of hitting vigorously

noun

A clear, high-pitched sound made by forcing breath through a small hole between partly closed lips, or between one's teeth.

Usage examples:

As was expected, his special appearance was greeted with whistles and applause that reverberated th…

verb

Emit a clear, high-pitched sound by forcing breath through a small hole between one's lips or teeth.

Usage examples:

The audience cheered and whistled

verb

The sound made when someone forces breath through pursed lips

noun

The perceptible natural movement of the air, especially in the form of a current of air blowing from a particular direction.

Usage examples:

The wind howled about the building

verb

Cause (someone) to have difficulty breathing because of exertion or a blow to the stomach.

Usage examples:

The fall nearly winded him

noun

A twist or turn in a course.

Usage examples:

After a few minutes of puzzled winds and twists and turns and curses muttered under my breath, i co…

noun

A soft gentle breeze.

Usage examples:

Anything less than a wind of 30 miles per hour is considered but a gentle zephyr.

noun

A light wind