Blush

verb / noun

blushes (3rd person singular), blushed (past simple/past participle), blushing (present participle)

Frequency

Medium

CEFR Level

Neutral

Domain

Emotions

Definition

1. To become red in the face from embarrassment, shyness, or shame.
2. To feel ashamed or self-conscious.
3. (noun): the reddening of the face.
4. A pink or rosy color.
5. Cosmetic makeup applied to the cheeks.
6. A type of pink wine.

Context Alive

When her crush suddenly sat down next to her in the cafeteria and said hello, she felt herself blush so intensely that her cheeks burned like fire, and she could only manage a mumbled greeting while staring desperately at her sandwich.

Meanings

8 meanings

1 To Become Red in the Face from Embarrassment (Verb) — VERY COMMON Common ▼

This is the classic meaning everyone knows. When you blush, blood rushes to your face and turns your cheeks pink or red—and you can’t control it. It usually happens when you’re embarrassed, caught off guard, or feeling shy. The worst part? The more you try not to blush, the more you blush. It’s your body betraying your emotions for everyone to see.

Vivid Example

He started to blush uncontrollably when the teacher read his poem aloud to the class, sinking lower and lower in his chair as thirty pairs of eyes turned to look at the boy whose face had turned the color of a tomato.

2 The Reddening of the Face (Noun) — VERY COMMON Common ▼

As a noun, a blush is the red color itself—that telltale sign spreading across someone’s cheeks. You might notice a blush creeping up someone’s neck. A blush might give away feelings someone was trying to hide. It’s visible evidence of an emotional reaction, whether that’s embarrassment, attraction, or shame.

Vivid Example

A deep blush spread across her face when she realized she had been waving enthusiastically at a complete stranger who looked nothing like her friend once he got closer.

3 To Feel Ashamed or Embarrassed (Verb) — COMMON Common ▼

Sometimes blush is used more figuratively—you might blush at something even without physically turning red. It means feeling that internal cringe of embarrassment or shame. “I blush to admit it” means you’re embarrassed to confess something. It’s about the feeling more than the physical reaction.

Vivid Example

She would blush to remember how confidently she had corrected the professor in class, only to discover later that she had been completely wrong and he had been too polite to embarrass her in front of everyone.

4 Cosmetic Makeup for Cheeks (Noun) — VERY COMMON Common ▼

In the beauty world, blush is the makeup you apply to your cheeks to give them a healthy, rosy glow—imitating the natural flush of color that makes people look vibrant and alive. It comes in powders, creams, and liquids, ranging from soft pinks to deep plums. Every makeup bag has some blush tucked inside.

Vivid Example

She applied a light dusting of blush to the apples of her cheeks, just enough to make her look awake and healthy for the video interview instead of the exhausted mess she actually felt like after being up all night preparing.

5 A Pink or Rosy Color or Tint (Noun) — COMMON Common ▼

Blush can describe any soft pink color—not just on faces. A blush of pink in the sunset. Blush-colored roses. A blush tone in fabric or paint. It’s a gentle, warm pink with a hint of warmth—romantic and soft rather than bright and bold.

Vivid Example

The bride chose a gown in a delicate blush shade rather than traditional white, a soft pink that caught the light beautifully and made her feel like she was glowing as she walked down the aisle.

6 A Type of Pink Wine (Noun) — COMMON Common ▼

Blush wine—sometimes called rosé—is made from red grapes but with limited skin contact, giving it a pink color instead of deep red. It became hugely popular for its light, refreshing taste, perfect for summer afternoons. Order “a glass of blush” and you’ll get something pink and usually slightly sweet.

Vivid Example

They ordered a bottle of blush to share on the restaurant patio, the pale pink wine perfectly matching the warm evening breeze and the relaxed mood of their long-overdue reunion.

7 'At First Blush' — At First Impression (Idiomatic) — COMMON Common ▼

This expression means “at first glance” or “when you first encounter something.” “At first blush, the plan seemed perfect” means initially it looked good, though maybe later problems appeared. It suggests a surface impression before you’ve had time to look deeper or think more carefully.

Vivid Example

At first blush, the apartment seemed like a dream come true with its high ceilings and huge windows, but a closer inspection revealed water stains, faulty wiring, and a suspicious smell coming from the walls.

8 'Spare Someone's Blushes' — Avoid Embarrassing Someone (Idiomatic — British) — LESS COMMON Common ▼

This British expression means to save someone from embarrassment—to handle a situation in a way that doesn’t make them look bad. If you “spare someone’s blushes,” you’re being tactful, perhaps not mentioning a mistake they made or changing the subject before things get awkward.

Vivid Example

The experienced host quickly stepped in to spare the guest’s blushes when she mispronounced the foreign dignitary’s name, smoothly repeating the introduction correctly while making it seem like a natural clarification rather than a correction.

Examples from the Street

“She blushed when he complimented her.”

Her face turned red from embarrassment or shyness at the kind words

“At first blush, it seems like a good deal.”

Initially; at first glance, it appears to be a good offer

“I have to admit — and I’m not going to blush about it — I was wrong.”

I’m not going to be embarrassed or ashamed to say it

Common Patterns

blush (with embarrassment/shame) → face turns red from emotion

blush at something → become embarrassed by something

make someone blush → cause someone to feel embarrassed

blush deeply/furiously → turn very red with embarrassment

can’t help but blush → unable to stop face turning red

blush to admit → feel embarrassed confessing something

a blush spread across someone’s face/cheeks → redness appeared on the face

bring a blush to someone’s cheeks → cause embarrassment

with a blush → while blushing; showing embarrassment

a faint/slight blush → a small amount of reddening

apply/put on blush → use cheek makeup

a touch of blush → a small amount of cheek colour

blush and lipstick → common makeup pairing

at first blush → at first glance; initially

spare someone’s blushes → avoid embarrassing someone (British)

without a blush → shamelessly; without embarrassment

Collocations

3 collocations

blush with embarrassment

turn red because you feel awkward

make someone blush

cause someone to feel embarrassed

at first blush

at first glance or initial impression

Example Sentences

12 examples

She blushed deeply when everyone started singing happy birthday to her

Her face turned very red with embarrassment when the whole group began the celebration song.

His romantic comments made her blush in front of all her friends

His loving remarks caused her face to redden while her mates were watching.

I blush to admit that I’ve never read a Shakespeare play

I’m embarrassed to confess that I’ve never gone through any of the famous playwright’s works.

He told such dirty jokes that he made the whole table blush

His crude humour caused everyone at dinner to feel embarrassed and turn red.

A blush spread across her cheeks as she realised her mistake

Redness appeared on her face when she understood her error.

She accepted the award with a blush and a shy smile

She received the prize while her face reddened and she grinned timidly.

At first blush, the plan seems reasonable, but there are hidden problems

Initially, the proposal appears sensible, but there are issues that aren’t immediately obvious.

I’ll spare your blushes and not mention what happened at the party

I’ll save you from embarrassment by keeping quiet about the incident at the gathering.

She applied a touch of blush to give her face some colour

She put on a small amount of cheek makeup to add warmth to her complexion.

He lied without a blush — completely shameless

He told untruths with no sign of embarrassment — totally brazen.

Learner Examples

★

Many students blush when asked to speak English in front of the class — it’s completely normal to feel self-conscious

Lots of learners go red when required to use the language before their classmates — it’s entirely natural to feel awkward.

★

At first blush, English grammar seems logical, but the more you study, the more exceptions you discover

Initially, the language’s rules appear to make sense, but the deeper you go, the more irregularities you find.

Phrasal Verbs & Idioms

2 items

Idioms & Expressions

at first blush — at first impression or glance

At first blush, the offer seemed too good to be true.

spare someone's blushes — avoid embarrassing someone

I won't mention his mistake — let's spare his blushes.

Synonyms & Antonyms

6 items

Synonyms

go red

informal, face turning red

flush

face reddening from emotion

turn crimson

becoming deeply red

colour up

British, face changing colour

Antonyms

go pale

losing colour from face

keep a straight face

showing no emotion