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.

Bliss vs. Bless — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Bliss and Bless

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.

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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Author Spotlight

Written by

Fiza Rafique

Fiza 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 Rehman

Tayyaba 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.