English · Greetings & Phrases
bless you
/ˈblɛs juː/
[/ˈblɛs juː/]
said after a sneeze
Beginnerphrase
Definition
A phrase said to someone after they sneeze, or to express affection or gratitude.
Example
Bless you! Here is a tissue if you need one for your cold.
Bless you! Here is a tissue if you need one for your cold.
Etymology
From Old English "bletsian," to consecrate, originally with sacrificial blood.
How & Where It’s Used
Said reflexively after a sneeze; has religious roots but is now mostly polite habit.
Cultural Note
The custom dates to ancient times when a sneeze was thought to expel the soul.