to have your face turn pink or red because you feel embarrassed, shy, or ashamed
When everyone sang happy birthday to her, Emma couldn't help but blush.
He blushed when the teacher praised his science project.
✦ Middle English blusshen, from Old English blyscan, meaning “to glow red.”
the pink or red color that appears on someone's cheeks when they feel embarrassed, shy, or excited
A warm blush spread across her cheeks when he winked at her.
His joke brought a deep blush to my face.
✦ From the verb “blush,” used as a noun since the 16th century to describe the resulting color.
a colored powder or cream that people put on their cheeks to add a healthy pink color
She applied rose-colored blush before the party.
This new blush gives your skin a natural glow.
✦ Cosmetic sense recorded from late 19th century, named after the effect it produces— a blush of color.
a pale pink wine, similar to rosé, made by allowing grape skins brief contact with the juice
We ordered a chilled blush to go with the seafood.
She prefers blush over red wine on summer evenings.
✦ U.S. marketing term from the 1970s for light pink wines, named for their blush-like color.
to become pink or reddish in color, especially of the sky, flowers, or other objects
The morning sky blushed with shades of pink and gold.
The white rose petals blushed along their edges.
✦ Extended poetic use of the main verb sense, first recorded in the 18th century.
