blesses

Blesses is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb bless. It denotes the act of invoking divine aid or protection, expressing good wishes, or granting formal approval or sanctification. In religious contexts, a priest or other authority may bless people, objects, or events; in secular usage, someone may bless a decision, a plan, or a project to express approval or support.

Blessing, the related noun, refers to the act or instance of blessing as well as to a favorable outcome or blessing received. Phrases such as “give a blessing” or “bestow blessings” are common in religious settings, while “receive blessings” can be used more broadly to signify good fortune or approval.

Etymology and usage notes: The verb bless originates in Old English and is part of the broader Germanic language family. The precise linguistic source is not entirely settled, but the form and its cognates appear across Germanic languages. Over time, English developed related forms such as blessed and blest, and the noun blessing became a standard term for a favorable divine or auspicious outcome. The present-tense form blesses is widely used in modern English.

See also: blessing, benediction, sanctification, consecration. Related phrases include “God bless you” and “bless this house,” which are common in everyday speech as well as liturgical contexts.