blossom

¹

[blos-uhm]

noun

Botany.

1. the flower of a plant, especially of one producing an edible fruit.

2. the state of flowering.

   The apple tree is in blossom.

verb (used without object)

1. Botany.,  to produce or yield blossoms.

2. to flourish; develop (often followed by into orout ).

   a writer of commercial jingles who blossomed out into an important composer.

   Synonyms: sprout, burgeon, bloom, thrive

3. (of a parachute) to open.

Blossom

²

[blos-uhm]

noun

1. a first name.

blossom

/ ˈblɒsəm /

noun

1. the flower or flowers of a plant, esp conspicuous flowers producing edible fruit

2. the time or period of flowering (esp in the phrases in blossom, in full blossom )

verb

1. (of plants) to come into flower

2. to develop or come to a promising stage

   youth had blossomed into maturity

Other Word Forms

• blossoming noun
• blossomy adjective
• blossomless adjective
• outblossom verb (used with object)
• reblossom verb (used without object)
• unblossomed adjective
• unblossoming adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of blossom¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English noun blosme, blossem, Old English blōstm(a), blōsma “flower”; cognate with Middle Dutch bloesem, Middle Low German blosem, blossem; bloom ¹, blow ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of blossom¹

Old English blōstm ; related to Middle Low German blōsem , Latin flōs flower

Example Sentences

They’ve been antagonistic, and it felt like a beautiful moment of female friendship and blossoming and this incredible Gaga song was just like the icing on the cake.

From Los Angeles Times

And students have blossomed as scholars with the power to set their own research agendas — a level of autonomy that contrasts sharply with their otherwise hypercontrolled lives inside.

From Los Angeles Times

In fact, it’s where his music blossoms and why there’s such a deep variation in instrumentation across his projects.

From Los Angeles Times

They were just themselves and just allowed things to blossom as it is.

From Los Angeles Times

Comedy has also blossomed in series form, with shows like Netflix’s “Nobody Wants This,” Apple TV+’s “The Studio” and Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bloom 
• develop 
• grow 
• mature 
• prosper 
• succeed 
• thrive 

When To Use

What does blossom mean?

In botany, a blossom is the flower of a plant, normally in its early stages and often referring to a flower that becomes edible fruit, such as apple and cherry blossoms.In botanical terms, a blossom  is a flower that is attached to an edible fruit, such as a tomato blossom, or plant that is known for a product that is not the flower, like a cactus.Blossom also refers to the state of flowering, as in Washington, DC, looks lovely when all the cherry trees are in blossom.To blossom means to produce blossoms. When a plant is blossoming, it has produced flower buds that are in the process of producing petals and opening.Figuratively, to blossom means to flourish or to begin to succeed or develop. If someone tells you that you are blossoming into a good student, they mean you are getting better at your schoolwork or completing your schoolwork.Example: The cherry blossoms unfolding are always the best part of April.