To turn red in the face, or feel ashamed, embarrassed, or shy, especially when attention turns personal.
Examples
She blushed when the room went quiet.
He blushed at the unexpected compliment.
I still blush to remember the mistake.
The child blushed and looked at the floor.
She made him blush with one kind remark.
He did not blush at the accusation.
They blushed when their names were read aloud.
Similar words
flush
redden
color
crimson
go red
turn red
Become softly pink
verb
color
literary
To become softly red or pink, especially in a poetic description of light, flowers, or the sky.
Examples
The eastern sky blushed before sunrise.
Wild roses blushed along the path.
A few clouds blushed pink at dusk.
The first petals blushed in the spring light.
The marble blushed under the sunset.
The hills blushed as the sun dropped.
Similar words
glow
redden
pinken
color
rose
Redness in the face
noun
emotion
neutral
A sudden red or pink color in the face that shows embarrassment, modesty, shyness, or similar emotion.
Examples
A blush rose in her cheeks.
He hid his blush behind the menu.
The praise brought a quick blush to his face.
Her blush gave away the joke.
A faint blush crossed his cheeks.
The apology left him with a deep blush.
Similar words
flush
redness
color
glow
crimson
Makeup or rosy color
noun
beauty
neutral
A soft pink or reddish color, and the powder, cream, or wine associated with that rosy shade.
Examples
She brushed a little blush onto her cheeks.
The palette includes peach, rose, and blush.
A pale blush warmed the room.
They served a chilled blush with lunch.
Cream blush blends easily into dry skin.
The bridesmaids wore dresses in soft blush.
Similar words
rouge
blusher
pink
rose
tint
cosmetic
rosé
Soft pink in color
adjective
color
neutral
Soft pink or pale rosy in color, often used for clothes, decor, flowers, or wine.
Examples
She chose blush curtains for the bedroom.
The florist added blush roses to the bouquet.
A blush wine sat in the ice bucket.
The invitation used gray ink on blush paper.
He wore a blush tie with a navy suit.
Similar words
pink
rosy
rose
pale pink
soft pink
First impression
noun
judgment
formal
The first look or early impression something gives, especially in the phrase at first blush.
Examples
At first blush, the proposal looked expensive.
The case seemed simple at first blush.
At first blush, her answer sounded evasive.
The numbers appeared strong at first blush.
At first blush, the design felt too plain.
Similar words
appearance
impression
look
surface
glance
view
Etymology
From Middle English blusshen, from Old English blysċan, meaning to glow or be red. Its deeper origin is uncertain, but it is related to Germanic words for shining or burning.
FAQ
What does blush mean?
Blush can mean to turn red from emotion, the redness itself, a pink cosmetic or color, a pale pink adjective, or a first impression in at first blush.
Is blush the same as flush?
No. Blush usually points to emotion such as embarrassment or modesty, while flush often comes from heat, illness, alcohol, exercise, or a wider physical reaction.
What is blush makeup?
Blush is a cheek cosmetic, often powder or cream, used to add a rosy or pink color to the face.
What does at first blush mean?
At first blush means at first appearance or on an early impression, before closer examination.
Can a sky or flower blush?
Yes. In literary or descriptive writing, a sky, flower, or surface can blush when it takes on a soft pink or rosy color.
What is blush wine?
Blush wine is a light pink wine, especially in American English, close in everyday use to rosé.
How is blush used in a sentence?
Natural examples include She blushed at the compliment, A blush rose in his cheeks, and At first blush, the answer seemed simple.
Comments & contributions
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Spry Gazelle
Jul 7
At first blush is pretty formal. dont use it for pizza unless you are joking
1
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Contribution
Stormy Falcon
Jun 30
In the UK, people still say blusher for the makeup product. I would buy a blusher from Boots, but on TikTok and US brands it is mostly just blush now.
3
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Contribution
Solid Snail
Jun 19
Makeup forums are always arguing about placement, because blush is not just color. High on the cheekbone can look lifted, apples of the cheeks looks softer, across the nose gives that sunburnt look. Then every few months TikTok renames some old technique and everyone fights about who invented it. Same product, totally different face.
6
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Loyal Owl
Jun 29
and liquid blush is dangerous lol. one dot first, then add more. learned that from looking insane on the bus