ENGLISH
REFERENCE

blush

n. · v.
US //ˈbɫəʃ// UK //blˈʌʃ// blush
  1. 1 a red glow on the face (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the pink or red colour that appears on your face when you are embarrassed.

    a reddening of the face caused by a rush of blood to the cheeks, typically triggered by emotional stimuli.

    Example

    A faint blush appeared on his cheeks as he admitted he was wrong.

    Example

    The sudden blush creeping across her face betrayed her true feelings, despite her attempt to remain composed during the interview.
  2. 2 makeup (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a powder or cream used to make your cheeks look pink or red.

    a cosmetic substance, typically in powder or cream form, applied to the cheekbones to simulate a youthful or healthy glow.

    Example

    She applied a little blush to her cheeks before going out for dinner.

    Example

    The makeup artist selected a peach-toned blush to complement the model's warm skin undertones for the photo shoot.
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  1. 3 technical coating failure (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Technical

    when paint or varnish turns white or cloudy because it was used in a wet or humid place.

    the development of a milky-white precipitate or cloudiness on a surface coating, such as dope or lacquer, caused by moisture trapped during application.

    Example

    The varnish began to blush because the workshop was too humid that day.

    Example

    Aviation technicians must monitor humidity levels carefully, as the cellulose dope used on fabric wings will blush if applied in damp conditions.

    Usage

    Used primarily in the context of painting, lacquering, or aviation maintenance.
Etymology 1

From Middle English blusshen, bluschen, blusschen, blisshen, from Old English blysċan (“to be red; shine”), perhaps from Proto-Germanic blaskijaną, from blasǭ (“burning candle; torch”) or alternatively from Proto-Germanic bluskijaną, from blusjǭ (“torch”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰel-. Cognate with Middle Low German blöschen (“to blush”). Compare also Old English blysian (“to burn; blaze”), Dutch blozen (“to blush”), Danish blusse (“to blush”), Old Norse blys (“torch”), Danish blus (“blaze”).

Etymology 2

Unknown; attested in the late 15th century.

Word family

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