blooming

UK: ˈbluːmɪŋ | US: ˈbluːmɪŋ

Definition

  1. adj. 1. (of a plant) producing flowers; in bloom.

  2. adj. 2. (informal, chiefly British) used as an intensifier, often to express annoyance ("a blooming idiot").

  3. v. (present participle of bloom) 1. to produce flowers; to flourish.

Structure
bloom <flower/to flourish>ing <present participle suffix>
Etymology

The word "bloom" traces back to Old Norse blóm ("flower, blossom"), which entered Middle English as blome. The suffix -ing is a productive English morpheme forming present participles or adjectives. Originally tied to botanical growth, "blooming" later expanded metaphorically (e.g., "blooming health") and acquired an ironic intensifier sense in British slang (19th century), likely due to its association with vibrancy.

Examples

  1. The garden is blooming with roses this spring.

  2. She wore a hat adorned with blooming artificial flowers.

  3. It’s a blooming miracle that the project was finished on time. (informal)

  4. The trees start blooming earlier due to climate change.

  5. He’s a blooming genius when it comes to solving puzzles. (informal)