Blessed vs. Blest — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on December 30, 2023
"Blessed" and "blest" are both forms of the same word, meaning fortunate or consecrated, with "blessed" being more common and "blest" often used in poetic or archaic contexts.
Difference Between Blessed and Blest
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Key Differences
"Blessed" is commonly used to describe someone or something as being holy or fortunate, while "blest" is a less common, more archaic or poetic variant of the same term.
In religious contexts, "blessed" often refers to sanctification, whereas "blest" might be used for its brevity and rhythm in hymns or poetry.
"Blessed" is the preferred form in contemporary language and formal writing, contrasting with "blest," which may appear in older texts or for stylistic effect.
Both "blessed" and "blest" can be used adjectivally to denote divine favor or beatification, but "blessed" is more likely to be used in everyday speech.
In spoken language, "blessed" is often pronounced with two syllables, as in 'bles-sed', especially for emphasis, whereas "blest" is always one syllable.
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Comparison Chart
Common Usage
Widely used in modern and formal contexts.
Less common, used in poetic or archaic contexts.
Pronunciation
Often two syllables ('bles-sed') for emphasis.
Always one syllable.
Contextual Preference
Preferred in contemporary language.
Preferred for its brevity in poetry and hymns.
Literary Appearance
Appears in a variety of texts, religious or secular.
Often found in older or stylistically specific texts.
Emphasis
Used for general emphasis or sanctity.
Used for rhythmic or stylistic emphasis.
Compare with Definitions
Blessed
Consecrated or made holy.
The blessed chalice was used in the ceremony.
Blest
Poetic form of blessed, meaning consecrated.
Blest be the ties that bind.
Blessed
Worthy of worship or veneration.
The blessed saints are revered in the church.
Blest
Used in older texts to express gratitude.
The blest moment of reunion.
Blessed
Used to express gratitude or relief.
It was a blessed relief when the rain started.
Blest
Fortunate or lucky, in an archaic or poetic sense.
We are blest with a bountiful harvest.
Blessed
Bringing happiness or comfort.
The blessed news brought joy to the family.
Blest
Bringing joy or happiness, in literary contexts.
The blest arrival of spring.
Blessed
Made holy; consecrated
The Blessed Sacrament
Blest
Archaic or literary term for blessed
Blessed
Used in mild expressions of annoyance or exasperation
He'll want to go and see his blessed allotment
Blest
Expressing sanctity or holiness in hymns or poetry.
Blest are the peacemakers.
Blessed
Worthy of worship; holy.
Blest
A past tense and a past participle of bless.
Blessed
Held in veneration; revered.
Blest
Variant of blessed.
Blessed
Blessed Roman Catholic Church Used as a title before the name of one who has been beatified.
Blest
Archaic spelling of blessed
Blessed
Bringing happiness, pleasure, or contentment.
Blest
Archaic spelling of blessed
Blessed
Blessed Used as an intensive
I don't have a blessed dime.
Blest
Blessed.
White these blest sounds my ravished ear assail.
Blessed
Having divine aid, or protection, or other blessing.
Blest
Highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace);
Our blessed land
The blessed assurance of a steady income
Blessed
(Roman Catholicism) A title indicating the beatification of a person, thus allowing public veneration of those who have lived in sanctity or died as martyrs.
Blessed
Held in veneration; revered.
Blessed
Worthy of worship; holy.
Blessed
Damned as an intensifier or vehement denial
Not one blessed person offered to help me out.
I'm blessed if I'm going to drive all that way at this time of night.
Blessed
Simple past tense and past participle of bless
Blessed
Hallowed; consecrated; worthy of blessing or adoration; heavenly; holy.
O, run; prevent them with thy humble ode,And lay it lowly at his blessed feet.
Blessed
Enjoying happiness or bliss; favored with blessings; happy; highly favored.
All generations shall call me blessed.
Towards England's blessed shore.
Blessed
Imparting happiness or bliss; fraught with happiness; blissful; joyful.
Blessed
Enjoying, or pertaining to, spiritual happiness, or heavenly felicity; as, the blessed in heaven.
Reverenced like a blessed saint.
Cast out from God and blessed vision.
Blessed
Beatified.
Blessed
Used euphemistically, ironically, or intensively.
Not a blessed man came to set her [a boat] free.
Blessed
Highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace);
Our blessed land
The blessed assurance of a steady income
Blessed
Worthy of worship;
The Blessed Trinity
Blessed
Expletives used informally as intensifiers;
He's a blasted idiot
It's a blamed shame
A blame cold winter
Not a blessed dime
I'll be damned (or blessed or darned or goddamned) if I'll do any such thing
He's a damn (or goddam or goddamned) fool
A deuced idiot
Tired or his everlasting whimpering
An infernal nuisance
Blessed
Roman Catholic; proclaimed one of the blessed and thus worthy of veneration
Blessed
Enjoying the bliss of heaven
Blessed
Characterized by happiness and good fortune;
A blessed time
Blessed
Having good fortune bestowed or conferred upon; sometimes used as in combination;
Blessed with a strong healthy body
A nation blessed with peace
A peace-blessed era
Blessed
Fortunate or lucky.
She felt blessed to have such friends.
Common Curiosities
Is blessed always religious?
Blessed is frequently religious but can also be used in secular expressions of gratitude or fortune.
Is blest an outdated term?
Blest is considered more archaic and is less common in modern usage.
Why is blest used in poetry?
Blest is often used in poetry for its brevity and rhythmic qualities.
How do you pronounce blessed?
Blessed is usually pronounced as 'bles-sed' or 'blest', depending on context.
Is blest used in modern writing?
Blest is used in modern writing, but typically for stylistic or poetic effect.
Is blessed positive or negative?
Blessed is typically used in a positive sense.
What does blessed mean?
Blessed means consecrated, holy, fortunate, or bringing happiness.
Does blessed have different meanings?
Yes, blessed can mean sanctified, fortunate, or causing happiness.
Can blessed refer to objects?
Yes, objects can be described as blessed if they are holy or bring joy.
Can blessed be used in secular contexts?
Yes, blessed can be used secularly to mean fortunate or happy.
Does blest have a different emphasis than blessed?
Blest has a stylistic or rhythmic emphasis, whereas blessed is more general.
What contexts are appropriate for blest?
Blest is appropriate in poetic, literary, and certain religious contexts.
Can blest express gratitude?
Yes, blest can express gratitude, especially in older texts or hymns.
Can blest be used in everyday conversation?
Blest is less common in everyday speech and more typical in written or formal religious language.
How is blessed used in a religious context?
In religion, blessed often refers to divine favor or sanctification.
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Written 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.
