Bliss vs. Bless — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 30, 2023
Bliss is a noun meaning profound joy or happiness, while Bless is a verb meaning to confer well-being or favor.
Difference Between Bliss and Bless
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Key Differences
Bliss and Bless are English words with different functions in a sentence. Bliss is a noun and refers to a state of perfect happiness or joy. On the other hand, Bless is primarily a verb that means to bestow good wishes or favor, often in a religious context.
Bliss and Bless, though distinct, can sometimes be found in the same context. For instance, one might feel a sense of bliss when they are blessed with good fortune or health. However, it's essential to note that while Bliss describes a feeling or state, Bless denotes an action.
Bliss, capturing a deep sense of happiness, can be used to describe moments of serenity, peace, or contentment. It often implies an ecstatic or spiritually transcendent state. In contrast, Bless can be used in daily expressions like "Bless you!" when someone sneezes or in prayers, where one asks for divine favor.
Using Bliss and Bless correctly is vital for clear communication. Remembering Bliss as a state of happiness and Bless as an act of conferring favor will ensure their appropriate use. While both words have positive connotations and can be linked to spiritual contexts, their functions and meanings in sentences remain distinct.
Both Bliss and Bless have roots that date back to Old English. Bliss is derived from the Old English word "blīþs," which means joy or happiness. In contrast, Bless comes from the Old English word "blēdsian," which means to consecrate or make holy.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Verb
Basic Meaning
Profound joy or happiness
To confer well-being or favor
Associated Emotion/State
Happiness, contentment
Gratitude, favor
Example Context
Moments of serenity or peace
Daily expressions, religious prayers
Root Origin
Old English "blīþs" (joy, happiness)
Old English "blēdsian" (to consecrate, make holy)
Compare with Definitions
Bliss
Complete happiness.
She felt pure bliss during her vacation.
Bless
To confer well-being or favor.
May God bless you with health and happiness.
Bliss
A state of spiritual joy.
The monk achieved a state of bliss through meditation.
Bless
To protect or guard from evil.
They believed the talisman would bless them from harm.
Bliss
Perfect contentment.
The bliss of a warm cup of tea on a cold day cannot be overstated.
Bless
To make holy by religious ritual.
They gathered to bless the newly built church.
Bliss
Heaven or paradise.
Some believe that after life, they will find eternal bliss.
Bless
To bestow good wishes.
Bless you after someone sneezes.
Bliss
Ecstasy or elation.
The concert was sheer bliss for the fans.
Bless
Pronounce words in a religious rite in order to confer or invoke divine favour upon; ask God to look favourably on
He blessed the dying man and anointed him
Bliss
Perfect happiness; great joy
She gave a sigh of bliss
Bless
To make holy by religious rite; sanctify
The clergy blessed the site for the new monastery.
Bliss
Reach a state of perfect happiness, oblivious of everything else
Josh is just blissed out, always smiling
Blissed-out hippies
Bless
To invoke divine favor upon
The bishop blessed the fishing fleet.
Bliss
Extreme happiness; ecstasy.
Bless
To make the sign of the cross over
She knelt and blessed herself.
Bliss
The ecstasy of salvation; spiritual joy.
Bless
To honor as holy; glorify
Bless the Lord.
Bliss
Perfect happiness.
The afternoon at the spa was utter bliss.
Bless
To confer well-being or prosperity on
They were blessed with a baby girl.
Bliss
Orig., blithesomeness; gladness; now, the highest degree of happiness; blessedness; exalted felicity; heavenly joy.
An then at last our blissFull and perfect is.
Bless
To endow, as with talent
He was blessed with a photographic memory.
Bliss
A state of extreme happiness
Bless
To make something holy by religious rite, sanctify.
Bless
To make the sign of the cross upon, so as to sanctify.
Bless
To invoke divine favor upon.
Bless
To honor as holy, glorify; to extol for excellence.
Bless
To esteem or account happy; to felicitate.
Bless
(obsolete) To wave; to brandish.
Bless
To turn (a reference) into an object.
Bless
To secure, defend, or prevent from.
Bless
Used as an expression of endearment, gratitude, or (ironically) belittlement.
Bless
To make or pronounce holy; to consecrate
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.
Bless
To make happy, blithesome, or joyous; to confer prosperity or happiness upon; to grant divine favor to.
The quality of mercy is . . . twice blest;It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
It hath pleased thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue forever before thee.
Bless
To express a wish or prayer for the happiness of; to invoke a blessing upon; - applied to persons.
Bless them which persecute you.
Bless
To invoke or confer beneficial attributes or qualities upon; to invoke or confer a blessing on, - as on food.
Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them.
Bless
To make the sign of the cross upon; to cross (one's self).
Bless
To guard; to keep; to protect.
Bless
To praise, or glorify; to extol for excellences.
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless
To esteem or account happy; to felicitate.
The nations shall bless themselves in him.
Bless
To wave; to brandish.
And burning blades about their heads do bless.
Round his armed head his trenchant blade he blest.
To bless the doors from nightly harm.
Bless
Give a benediction to;
The dying man blessed his son
Bless
Confer prosperity or happiness on
Bless
Make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate
Bless
Render holy by means of religious rites
Bless
To praise or extol.
I bless the day we met.
Common Curiosities
Can Bliss and Bless be used interchangeably?
No, Bliss denotes a state of happiness, while Bless refers to the act of bestowing good wishes.
What is the primary difference between Bliss and Bless?
Bliss is a noun representing happiness, while Bless is a verb meaning to confer favor.
And Bless?
Bless is primarily a verb.
Can Bless be used in casual, everyday situations?
Yes, such as saying "Bless you!" when someone sneezes.
What part of speech is Bliss?
Bliss is a noun.
What about Bless?
Phrases like "blessing in disguise" are common.
Are Bliss and Bless related to any religious context?
Yes, Bliss can denote spiritual joy, and Bless often relates to religious practices or prayers.
How can one remember the difference between Bliss and Bless?
Remember that Bliss is a state or feeling, while Bless is an action.
Are there any idioms or phrases associated with Bliss?
Yes, like "ignorance is bliss."
Is Bliss always associated with religious or spiritual contexts?
No, it can also refer to general feelings of happiness or contentment.
Can Bliss refer to a place?
Yes, it can be used to describe heaven or paradise.
Can Bless have meanings other than religious ones?
Yes, like bestowing good wishes or expressing gratitude.
Is Bliss always a positive term?
Generally, yes, it denotes positive feelings of happiness.
Can the act of blessing have negative connotations?
Typically, no. Blessing usually implies a positive or protective action.
How is Bless typically used in religious contexts?
It can mean to make something holy or to confer divine favor.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
