noun
blister
BLIHS-tuh
noun
1
A small, fluid-filled bubble that forms under the skin, usually from friction, heat, or irritation.
"New boots gave her a painful blister on her heel."
"The burn left a large blister on his forearm."
2
A bubble or raised patch on a surface such as paint or plastic.
"Damp had caused blisters to form on the ceiling paint."
verb
1
To develop blisters, or to cause them to form.
"Her hands blistered after a day of rowing."
2
To criticise someone harshly.
"The coach blistered the team for their sloppy defending."
How to Use Blister
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA painful skin bubble caused by rubbing or heat — or, informally, a harsh telling-off.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a blister forms
blister pack
blister the paintwork
Word Forms
blistered past tense, blisters plural, blisters singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “blister”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
New boots gave her a painful _____ on her heel.
Etymology
From Old French blestre, tracing back to a Germanic word for a swelling.