blister
B2Neutral to informal. Medical/technical in specific contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A small, painful, raised area of skin filled with clear liquid, caused by friction, burning, or a medical condition.
Any similar raised or swollen area, such as on a painted surface, a plant, or packaging; also used figuratively for a harsh critique.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun referring to a physical injury or defect. As a verb, it means to form blisters or to criticise harshly.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word itself is identical. Minor potential difference: In UK medical contexts, 'blister pack' for medication is very common; in US, 'bubble pack' is also used.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Equal frequency. Both regions use it in literal (medical) and figurative (criticism) senses.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N: I have a blister on my heel.V (transitive): The acid will blister the paint.V (intransitive): My skin began to blister in the sun.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Blistering critique/pace/attack (intense, fast, harsh)”
- “Blister pack (type of packaging)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in manufacturing/quality control: 'The paint finish showed blisters.'
Academic
In medical/biological texts describing skin conditions or plant pathologies.
Everyday
Common when discussing minor injuries from shoes, burns, or manual work.
Technical
Used in dermatology, materials science (paint, coatings), and military science ('blister agent').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The new hiking boots have blistered my heels terribly.
- The reviewer absolutely blistered the government's new policy.
American English
- The hot pavement will blister your feet if you walk barefoot.
- His performance was blistered by the critics in the Times.
adverb
British English
- The car performed blisteringly well on the test track.
American English
- The team started the game blisteringly fast.
adjective
British English
- He set off at a blistering pace.
- The report contained blistering criticism of the council.
American English
- We're in for a week of blistering heat.
- She launched into a blistering rant about the service.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a blister on my toe from my new shoes.
- Be careful, the soup is blistering hot!
- If you get a blister, don't pop it; cover it with a plaster.
- The paint on the old door had started to blister in the sun.
- The chemical agent can cause severe blistering of the skin and eyes.
- Her blistering critique of the novel left the author speechless.
- The pharmaceutical company uses blister packs to improve patient compliance.
- Under the blistering scrutiny of the inquiry, the minister's defence began to unravel.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BLIStering hot pan that would cause a BLISTER if you touched it.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRITICISM IS A PHYSICAL INJURY (e.g., 'blistering attack'), HEAT/FRICTION CAUSES DAMAGE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'блистер' (anglicism for blister pack). The core Russian equivalent is 'волдырь'. Do not use 'пузырь' for a skin blister; that's for soap bubbles or bladders.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'blister' for a pimple or acne (different cause).
- Incorrect verb pattern: 'The sun blistered on my skin' (intransitive use is fine, but 'blistered my skin' is more common).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'blister' used figuratively?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Medical advice generally says no, as the skin covering protects against infection. Cover it with a protective dressing.
A blister is a fluid-filled sac caused by acute damage. A callus is a thickened, hardened area of skin caused by repeated friction over time.
Yes. It can be transitive ('The burn blistered my hand') or intransitive ('My hand blistered from the burn'). It also means to criticise severely.
A pack for small goods (like pills or batteries) where each item is sealed in a separate, raised plastic bubble, often on a cardboard backing.