Spelling of Blue: Blue is spelled b-l-u-e. Blue and blew are homophones; they sound the same but are spelled differently and have different definitions.
Definition of Blue: Blue is a color that is between green and violet. The sky is blue and so is the ocean. It is also used to describe when someone is feeling down, sad, or depressed. Rarely, blue can be used as a verb meaning to make something blue in color.
Pronunciation of Blue: Blue is pronounced bloo. Blue rhymes with clue and flu.
How to Use Blue in a Sentence
What does blue mean? Blue can function as a noun, adjective, or even a verb.
As an adjective, it describes either something that is blue in color or someone who is feeling sad or melancholy.
For example,
- He purchased the blue car because it is his favorite color.
- The clear, blue sky suddenly changed to an eery dark black and purple color.
- What’s wrong? You seem blue
As a noun, the word blue simply refers to the color blue.
For example,
- Her favorite color is blue.
- Then the ship sailed away into the blue.
The verb blue means to make or become blue in color.
For example,
- You should not blue your clothes until the second rinse.
Phrases That Use Blue
There are several common phrases and idioms that use the word blue.
Black and blue: beaten and bruised, literally or figuratively.
Blue around the gills: young and inexperienced.
Blue collar: a manual laborer, as distinguished from white collar.
Blue in the face: when someone is at the point of extreme frustration or exasperation.
Into the blue: to go a far distance or into the unknown.
Out of the blue: at a random or unexpected time; from an unexpected source.
Feeling blue: when one’s mood is sad and melancholy.
Once in a blue moon: rarely; not often.
History & Etymology of Blue
According to Merriam-Webster’s, blue was first used in the 13th century.
This Middle English word blue came from the Old French word bleu, which is of Germanic origin and related to the Old English blaewen, meaning blue, and the Old Norse word blar meaning dark blue.
Synonyms for Blue
When describing the color of something, the following synonyms can be used, but it’s important to choose the correct hue of blue.
- Sapphire
- Indigo
- Azure
- Cobalt
- Cerulean
When one’s mood is sad, depressed, down, or melancholy, the following words can be used to replace blue.
- Sad
- Depressed
- Down
- Melancholy
- Brokenhearted
- Gloomy
- Unhappy
Outside Examples of Blue
- When Mr. Bielefeld zoomed in on one town, 53 blue squares appeared within 2.5 miles of a hillside site where burials are suspected. – New York Times
- Here’s why stars are wearing blue ribbons at the Emmy Awards. – USA Today
Summary
Blue functions as a noun, adjective, or verb; it refers to the color, the color of something or someone, one’s mood, and the act of turning or becoming blue.
There are many shades of blue.
Contents