ENGLISH
REFERENCE

blowing

v. · n.
US //ˈbɫoʊɪŋ// UK //blˈəʊɪŋ// blow·ing
  1. 1 moving air (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    when the wind or air is moving.

    the continuous movement of air currents, typically referring to the wind.

    Example

    A cold wind was blowing across the lake all afternoon.

    Example

    The gale was blowing with such intensity that the coastal residents were advised to remain indoors until the storm front passed.

    Usage

    Often used in the continuous form to describe weather conditions.
    • gusting
    • wafting
  2. 2 pushing air from the mouth (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    sending air out of your mouth to cool something or make a sound.

    the act of expelling air from the mouth, often for the purpose of cooling, clearing, or sounding an instrument.

    Example

    She was blowing on her hot coffee to cool it down.

    Example

    The musician spent hours blowing into the saxophone, refining the tone of the lower register for the upcoming jazz festival.

    Usage

    Frequently takes the preposition 'on' when directed at an object.
  3. 3 the act of moving air (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the action or sound of air being moved or pushed.

    the action of one who blows or the physical manifestation of air being moved.

    Example

    The constant blowing of the whistle was starting to annoy the neighbors.

    Example

    The rhythmic blowing of the glass required immense lung capacity and precise control over the temperature of the molten material.
Etymology 1

From Middle English blowynge, blowende, from Old English blāwende, from Proto-Germanic blēandz, present participle of Proto-Germanic blēaną (“to blow”), equivalent to blow + -ing.

Etymology 2

From Middle English blowynge, blowyng, from Old English blāwung (“blowing”), equivalent to blow + -ing.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Idioms1 entry

Last updated June 19, 2026