blisters

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   Small painful swellings on the skin filled with liquid, often caused by rubbing or burns.

   Grammar: Countable; usually plural when more than one. Use 'a blister' for one.

   Patterns

   • get a blister
   • have blisters
   • a blister on something

   After the long hike, she had blisters on both heels.

   These new shoes gave me a blister on my little toe.

   He popped the blister and then covered it with a bandage.

2. 2nouncountable

   A raised bubble on a surface such as paint or metal, caused by heat or damage.

   Grammar: Countable; often plural. Used for things, not people.

   Patterns

   • blisters in the paint
   • form blisters
   • cover with blisters

   The hot sun caused blisters to form on the painted wall.

   There were blisters all over the old metal railing.

Word forms

Common combinations

a blister on your heel

I always get a blister on my heel when I wear these boots.

blisters from walking

She had blisters from walking all day in sandals.

blister pack

The pills come in a blister pack.

blistering heat

We stayed inside during the blistering heat.

Synonyms and how they differ

sore

A sore is a painful spot, often open or inflamed; a blister is specifically a fluid-filled swelling.

welt

A welt is a raised, red mark on the skin, often from a blow; a blister is usually caused by friction or burns and contains fluid.

Word family

blistering adjective

Extremely hot, or very harsh and critical.

blister verb

To form blisters, or to criticize someone very strongly.

Commonly confused: blisters or pimple?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “blisters”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words