Use blast for a strong gust of wind or a sudden burst of air.
Use blast for a strong gust of wind or a sudden burst of air.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The wind blast the trees. | The wind blasts the trees. |
| The blast of perfume was subtle. | The blast of perfume filled the room. |
| He blast the door open. | He blasted the door open. |
| The blast was quiet. | The blast was loud. |
Use blast for actions that involve exploding or demolishing with explosives.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| They blast the old building yesterday. | They blasted the old building yesterday. |
| The bomb blast the target. | The bomb blasts the target. |
| He blast the wall with a sledgehammer. | He blasted the wall with a sledgehammer. |
| The fireworks blasts at midnight. | The fireworks blast at midnight. |
Use blast to describe a fun party or event.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| We had a blast at the funeral. | We had a blast at the party. |
| The concert was a blast of silence. | The concert was a blast of sound. |
| She blasted the meeting. | She had a blast at the meeting. |
| It was a blast of boredom. | It was a blast of fun. |
Use blast when someone is strongly criticized or verbally attacked.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| He blast the chef for the bland soup. | He blasted the chef for the bland soup. |
| The reviewer blast the movie for its poor plot. | The reviewer blasted the movie for its poor plot. |
| She blasted the cake for being too sweet. | She criticized the cake for being too sweet. |
| They blast the new policy as unfair. | They blasted the new policy as unfair. |
Use blast for a powerful gust, an explosion, a fun gathering, or a harsh verbal attack, choosing the sense that fits the context.
Dropping the -ed in past tense, as in “He blast the wall”, and using the noun sense for quiet events are typical errors.
From Old English blæst, related to blǣwan ‘to blow’, and the verb blǣstan ‘to blast, to strike’.
What does “blast” mean when referring to wind?
It is a sudden, forceful gust of air.
How is “blast” used as a verb in demolition?
It means to explode or break apart something with explosives.
Can “blast” describe a fun event?
Yes, informally it refers to an enjoyable party or celebration.
What does it mean to “blast” someone in a conversation?
It means to criticize or attack them strongly.
What is the past tense of “blast” as a verb?
The past tense is “blasted”.
Is “blast” ever used to describe sound?
Yes, it can refer to a loud burst of sound, such as a blast from a speaker.
What are common synonyms for “blast” as a noun meaning gust?
Synonyms include gust, gale, burst, surge, breeze, wind, tempest.
What are antonyms for “blast” in the sense of a gust?
Antonyms include calm, stillness, silence.
Does “blast” have any technical meanings?
In engineering it can refer to a stream of particles or the pressure from an explosion.
How should I avoid common mistakes with “blast”?
Remember to add -ed for past tense and use the noun sense only for strong, loud events, not quiet ones.