Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense blisters, present participle blistering, past tense, past participle blistered
1. countable noun
A blister is a painful swelling on the surface of your skin. Blisters contain a clear liquid and are usually caused by heat or by something repeatedly rubbing your skin.
Synonyms: sore, boil, swelling, cyst More Synonyms of blister
2. verb
When your skin blisters or when something blisters it, blisters appear on it.
The affected skin turns red and may blister. [VERB]
The sap of this plant blisters the skin. [VERB noun]
...pausing to bathe their blistered feet. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: swell More Synonyms of blister
blister in British English
(ˈblɪstə)
noun
1.
a small bubble-like elevation of the skin filled with serum, produced as a reaction to a burn, mechanical irritation, etc
2.
a swelling containing air or liquid, as on a painted surface
3.
a transparent dome or any bulge on the fuselage of an aircraft, such as one used for observation
4. slang
an irritating person
5. New Zealand slang
a rebuke
verb
6.
to have or cause to have blisters
7. (transitive)
to attack verbally with great scorn or sarcasm
Derived forms
blistered (ˈblistered)
adjective
blistery (ˈblistery)
adjective
Word origin
C13: from Old French blestre, probably from Middle Dutch bluyster blister; see blast
blister in American English
(ˈblɪstər)
noun
1.
a raised patch of skin, specif. of epidermis, filled with watery matter and caused by a burn, frostbite, rubbing, etc.
2.
something used or applied to cause a blister
3.
anything resembling a blister, as on a plant, a coat of paint, etc.
4.
a bulging, bubblelike projection, usually transparent, used for observation, protection, etc. on an aircraft, train, car, etc.
5.
a transparent, rigid shell, used to package, protect, and display an article of merchandise
verb transitive
6.
to cause blisters to form on
7.
to beat severely
8.
to lash with words
verb intransitive
9.
to have or form a blister or blisters
Derived forms
blistery (ˈblistery)
adjective
Word origin
ME < Du bluister or OFr blestre < ?
Examples of 'blister' in a sentence
blister
There are a few unusual skin conditions in the elderly that can cause blistering.
The Sun (2016)
He's still got that blistering pace but he seems far more composed now.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The hotter the foot gets, the wetter it will get too, which increases the risk of blisters and painful infections.
The Sun (2016)
He was a little unlucky to only finish fourth in the Tingle Creek after a shuddering error when setting a blistering pace.
The Sun (2017)
I'd struggled in Colosseum crowds in the blistering heat.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Pale yellow blisters are appearing on many holly leaves.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The last thing you want to do in the blistering heat is put on extra layers.
The Sun (2011)
Otherwise he suffers blistering burns in minutes.
The Sun (2009)
This increases the chance of back pain and blisters.
The Sun (2008)
The women hit their stride and proceed at a blistering pace.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The peshmerga fighters were reported to have suffered telltale blistering in the attack.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The show is in blistering form and viewing figures are on the up.
The Sun (2010)
This side will have small brown blisters on it.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Too big or too small will cause blisters.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
So are they worth the painful blisters?
The Sun (2008)
By now fatigue was beginning to set in and a nasty blister appeared on his hand.
Tibballs, Geoff Great Sporting Failures (1993)
One needed hospital treatment and others had burns and blisters.
The Sun (2009)
Only a dropped shot on the last blotted a blistering back nine that included five consecutive birdies.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Showed blistering pace and terrific balance for his first international try and almost got a second.
The Sun (2014)
Our away form has been blistering and we will go there with confidence.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
His ankles and face looked puffy and swollen but there was no sign of sunburn or skin blistering.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The red blister on one palm shows how long he has been away and how hard this will be.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Really painful blister on a foot.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
To add to the frustration, we are tantalisingly close to some blistering heat.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Slap one over the blister, and you can walk straight on without any pain or discomfort.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The skin will blister and tear a little, exposing the flesh.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
A: One small blister on the outside of my left ankle and one under the little toe on my right foot.
The Sun (2006)
Word lists with
blister
parts of an aircraft, parts of an aircraft
In other languages
blister
British English: blister /ˈblɪstə/ NOUN
A blister is a painful swelling containing clear liquid on the surface of your skin.
American English: blister
Arabic: بَثْرَة
Brazilian Portuguese: bolha
Chinese: 水泡
Croatian: žulj
Czech: puchýř
Danish: vabel
Dutch: blaar
European Spanish: ampolla
Finnish: rakkula
French: cloque
German: Wundblase
Greek: φουσκάλα
Italian: vescica
Japanese: 水ぶくれ
Korean: 물집
Norwegian: blemme
Polish: pęcherz bąbel
European Portuguese: bolha
Romanian: bășică
Russian: волдырь
Latin American Spanish: ampolla
Swedish: blåsa sår
Thai: แผลพุพอง
Turkish: sulu kabarcık
Ukrainian: пухир
Vietnamese: chỗ phồng da
British English: blister VERB
When your skin blisters or when something blisters it, blisters appear on it.
The affected skin turns red and may blister.
American English: blister
Brazilian Portuguese: empolar
Chinese: 起水疱
European Spanish: ampollar
French: cloquer
German: Blasen werfen
Italian: formare vesciche
Japanese: 水ぶくれになる
Korean: 물집이 생기다
European Portuguese: empolar
Latin American Spanish: ampollar
All related terms of 'blister'
blister pack
a type of packet in which small items are displayed and sold, consisting of a transparent dome of plastic or similar material mounted on a firm backing such as cardboard
blister rust
a disease of certain pines caused by rust fungi of the genus Cronartium , causing swellings on the bark from which orange masses of spores are released
blood blister
a blister filled with blood
fever blister
Fever blisters are small sore spots that sometimes appear on or near someone's lips and nose when they have a cold .
water blister
a blister containing watery or serous fluid , without any blood or pus
blister beetle
any beetle of the family Meloidae , many of which produce a secretion that blisters the skin
blister copper
an impure form of copper having a blister-like surface due to the release of gas during cooling
blister-packed
presented in a blister pack
bubble pack
a type of packet in which small items are displayed and sold, consisting of a transparent dome of plastic or similar material mounted on a firm backing such as cardboard
Chinese translation of 'blister'
blister
(ˈblɪstəʳ)
n(c)
(on skin) 水泡 (shuǐpào) (个(個), gè)
(in paint, rubber) 气(氣)泡 (qìpào) (个(個), gè)
vi
[skin]起泡 (qǐpào)
[paint]呈气(氣)泡状(狀) (chéng qìpàozhuàng)
(noun)
Definition
a small bubble on the skin filled with a watery fluid
The first sign of a blister is itching in the infected area.
Synonyms
sore
boil
a boil on his nose
swelling
There is some swelling and he is being detained for observation.
cyst
He had a minor operation to remove a cyst.
pimple
His face was covered with pimples.
wen
blain
carbuncle
pustule
She had a large number of little pimples and pustules on her face.
bleb
furuncle (pathology)
(verb)
Definition
to have or cause to have blisters
The affected skin turns red and may blister.
Synonyms
swell
Additional synonyms
in the sense of boil
Definition
a red painful swelling with a hard pus-filled core caused by infection of the skin