Part of Speech

Verb (Present Participle)

Pronunciation

/ˈblōiNG/

Definitions

• Verb (Present Participle): The action of expelling air through the mouth or other opening, typically forcefully (e.g., blowing air or a whistle).
• Verb (Present Participle): The act of causing something to move or be affected by wind (e.g., blowing leaves, blowing dust).
• Verb (Present Participle): The process of creating sound or noise by exhaling (e.g., blowing a trumpet).
• Verb (Present Participle): To cause something to be destroyed or damaged by a forceful release of air (e.g., blowing up a balloon, blowing up a building).

Usage Examples

• She was blowing air through the whistle to signal the start of the game.
• The wind was blowing fiercely, causing the trees to sway.
• He was blowing on his soup to cool it down.
• The children were blowing bubbles in the yard.

Etymology

The word "blowing" comes from the Old English word "blawan," meaning "to blow." The word has been in use since at least the 9th century and evolved in meaning to include various forms of air expulsion, from gentle breath to forceful actions such as blowing objects or creating sound.

Synonyms

• Exhaling
• Breathing out
• Whistling
• Blustering
• Puffing

Antonyms

• Inhaling
• Breathing in
• Absorbing

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• American English: /ˈblōiNG/
• British English: /ˈbləʊɪŋ/
• Australian English: /ˈbləʊɪŋ/

Historical Usage

The word "blowing" has been in use since Old English, with the verb "blawan" meaning "to blow." It was historically used to describe actions like wind blowing or to denote the act of exhaling forcefully. Over time, the meaning expanded to include various physical actions such as playing wind instruments or causing explosions.

Cultural Nuances

In many cultures, the act of blowing is associated with ritualistic or symbolic meanings. For example, blowing out candles on a birthday cake is a tradition in several countries. In some indigenous cultures, blowing is seen as a spiritual gesture, used in rituals to ward off evil spirits or to invoke blessings.

More Information

Blowing, as a physical action, is commonly used in various contexts from simple breath to complex mechanical processes. It is crucial in many areas such as sound production in musical instruments, in engineering to expel air from machinery, and in natural processes like the wind carrying pollen. Blowing is also featured in countless idioms, such as "blowing off steam," which denotes releasing tension or anger.