Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense bows, present participle bowing, past tense, past participle bowed
1. verb
When you bowto someone, you briefly bend your body towards them as a formal way of greeting themor showing respect.
They bowed low to Louis and hastened out of his way. [VERB + to]
He bowed slightly before taking her bag. [VERB]
Synonyms: bend, bob, nod, incline More Synonyms of bow
Bow is also a noun.
I gave a theatrical bow and waved.
2. verb
If you bow your head, you bend it downwards so that you are looking towards the ground, for example because you want to show respect or because you are thinking deeply about something.
He bowed his head and whispered a prayer of thanksgiving. [VERB noun]
She stood still, head bowed, hands clasped in front of her. [VERB-ed]
3. verb
If you bow to pressure or to someone's wishes, you agree to do what they want you to do.
Some shops are bowing to consumer pressure and stocking organically grown vegetables. [VERB + to]
Parliament has bowed to the demand for a referendum next year. [VERBto noun]
4. passive verb
If you are bowed by something, you are made unhappy and anxious by it, and lose hope.
...their determination not to be bowed in the face of the allied attacks. [beVERB-ed]
To be bowed down means the same as to be bowed.
I am bowed down by my sins. [beVERB-ed PARTICLE]
5.
See bow to the inevitable
6.
See take a bow
Phrasal verbs:
See bow down
See bow out
More Synonyms of bow
bow part of a ship
(baʊ)
Word forms: plural bows
countable noun
The front part of a ship is called thebow or thebows. The plural bows can be used to refer either to one or to more than one of these parts.
The waves were about five feet now, and the bow of the boat was leaping up and down.
...the sight of that magnificent ship lit up from bow to stern.
...spray from the ship's bows.
Synonyms: prow, head, stem, fore More Synonyms of bow
bow objects
(boʊ)
Word forms: plural bows
1. countable noun
A bow is a knot with two loops and two loose ends that is used in tying shoelaces and ribbons.
Add a length of ribbon tied in a bow.
Synonyms: knot, tie, lace, loop More Synonyms of bow
2. countable noun
A bow is a weapon for shooting arrows which consists of a long piece of curved wood witha string attached to both its ends.
Some of the raiders were armed with bows and arrows.
Synonyms: longbow, crossbow More Synonyms of bow
3. countable noun
The bow of a violin or other stringed instrument is a long thin piece of wood with fibres stretched along it, which you move across the strings of the instrument in orderto play it.
4. another string to your bow
bow in British English1
(baʊ)
verb
1.
to lower (one's head) or bend (one's knee or body) as a sign of respect, greeting, assent, or shame
2.
to bend or cause to bend; incline downwards
3. (intr; usually foll by to or before)
to comply or accept
bow to the inevitable
4. (tr; foll by in, out, to etc)
to usher (someone) into or out of a place with bows and deference
the manager bowed us to our car
5. (tr; usually foll by down)
to bring (a person, nation, etc) to a state of submission
6. bow and scrape
noun
7.
a lowering or inclination of the head or body as a mark of respect, greeting, or assent
8. take a bow
Word origin
Old English būgan, related to Old Norse bjūgr bent, Old High German biogan to bend, Dutch buigen
bow in British English2
(bəʊ)
noun
1.
a weapon for shooting arrows, consisting of an arch of flexible wood, plastic, metal, etc bent by a string (bowstring) fastened at each end
See also crossbow
2.
a.
a long slightly curved stick across which are stretched strands of horsehair, used for playing the strings of a violin, viola, cello, or related instrument
b.
a stroke with such a stick
3.
a.
a decorative interlacing of ribbon or other fabrics, usually having two loops and two loose ends
b.
the knot forming such an interlacing; bowknot
4.
a.
something that is curved, bent, or arched
b.
(in combination)
rainbow
oxbow
saddlebow
5.
a person who uses a bow and arrow; archer
6. US
a.
a frame of a pair of spectacles
b.
a sidepiece of the frame of a pair of spectacles that curls round behind the ear
7.
a metal ring forming the handle of a pair of scissors or of a large old-fashioned key
8. architecture
part of a building curved in the form of a bow
See also bow window
verb
9.
to form or cause to form a curve or curves
10.
to make strokes of a bow across (violin strings)
Word origin
Old English boga arch, bow; related to Old Norse bogi a bow, Old High German bogo, Old Irish bocc, and bow1
bow in British English3
(baʊ)
noun
1. mainly nautical
a. (often plural)
the forward end or part of a vessel
b.
(as modifier)
the bow mooring line
2. rowing short for bowman2
3. on the port bow
4. on the starboard bow
5. a shot across someone's bows
Word origin
C15: probably from Low German boog; related to Dutch boeg, Danish bov ship's bow, shoulder; see bough
Bow in British English
(bəʊ)
noun
Clara, known as the It Girl. 1905–65, US film actress, noted for her vivacity and sex appeal
bow in American English1
(baʊ)
verb intransitive
1. Dialectal
to bend or stoop
2.
to bend down one's head or bend one's body in respect, agreement, worship, recognition, etc.
3.
to yield or submit, as to authority
4.
to express assent, greeting, etc. by bowing
verb transitive
5. Dialectal
to bend
6.
to bend (one's head) down in respect, prayer, shame, etc.
7.
to indicate (agreement, thanks, etc.) by bowing
8.
to weigh (down); overwhelm; crush
the president was bowed down by the burdens of office
noun
9.
a bending down of the head or body, as in respect or greeting
Idioms:
bow and scrape
bow out
bow out
take a bow
Word origin
ME bouen < OE bugan, to bend < IE base *bheugh-, to bend > Ger biegen; the bow1 noun is 17th c.
bow in American English2
(baʊ)
noun
1. [sometimes pl.]
the front part of a ship, boat, or airship; prow
2.
the rower nearest the bow
3. Nautical
a direction at a 45° angle left or right from dead ahead
a whale sighted on the port bow
Word origin
ME boue < LowG or Scand: LowG būg, Du boeg, Swed bog, shoulder, shoulders of a ship, bows; akin to bough
bow in American English3
(boʊ)
noun
1.
anything curved or bent
a rainbow, oxbow
2.
a curve; bend
3.
a device for shooting arrows, made of a flexible, curved strip of wood, metal, etc. with a tightly drawn cord connecting the two ends
4.
an archer
5.
a.
a slender stick strung along its length with horsehairs, drawn across the strings of a violin,cello, etc. to play it
b.
a stroke with such a bow
6.
a bowknot or a decorative knot, as of ribbon, with two or more loops
7.
either of the sidepieces of a pair of glasses extending over the ears; temple
adjective
8.
bow-shaped; curved; bent
verb transitive, verb intransitive
9.
to bend or curve in the shape of a bow
the wall bowed outward from the pressure
10. Music
to play (a violin, etc.) with a bow
Word origin
ME boue < OE boga < PGmc *boga < base of bow1
More idioms containing
bow
take a bow
bow and scrape
have another string to your bow
Examples of 'bow' in a sentence
bow
Wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit he bowed his head and spoke only to confirm his name and address.
The Sun (2016)
Yet the visitors' first chance came with bows and ribbons.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They wouldn't just clean the bricks and bow their heads.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He bows out as one of the most popular figures in the paddock, universally liked and respected.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
All those who reckoned it looked a case of the ridiculous meeting the sublime, take a bow.
The Sun (2016)
But the reality telly favourite has finally decided to bow out, leaving producers struggling to find stars for another series.
The Sun (2016)
To redeem himself, he does agree to don a Santa suit and wear a little red bow on his head without looking too embarrassed.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The pastor asks if they could all please bow their heads for prayer.
Christianity Today (2000)
She was about to have a bath and we put this little bow on her.
The Sun (2015)
There was a lot of tweed and at least one bow tie.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It also links the bow four and the stroke four.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Those providers finally bowed to pressure this month by cutting household gas bills.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
What remains is a ship sliced from bow to stern.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Add a ribbon bow for a natty finish.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The man had his head bowed and he was weeping.
Aidan Hartley THE ZANZIBAR CHEST: A Memoir of Love and War (2003)
Such was the rapturous applause that he was dragged out for a second time to take a bow.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Most final bows end in disappointment.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We were delighted when the Government bowed to pressure and brought in tough new laws.
The Sun (2006)
Bow to your metal master, pistachio!
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Teller worked in the family business, making bows for string instruments for a year, untilhe had an asthma attack.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Word lists with
bow
architectural features
In other languages
bow
British English: bow /bəʊ/ NOUN
weapon A bow is a long, curved piece of wood with a string stretched between the two ends, that is used to send arrows through the air.
Some of the riders had bows and arrows.
American English: bow weapon
Arabic: قَوس
Brazilian Portuguese: arco de flecha
Chinese: 弓
Croatian: luk
Czech: luk
Danish: bue våben
Dutch: boog wapen
European Spanish: arco arma
Finnish: jousipyssy
French: arc
German: Bogen Pfeil
Greek: τόξο
Italian: arco
Japanese: 弓
Korean: 활
Norwegian: bue pil-og-bue
Polish: łuk
European Portuguese: arco de flecha
Romanian: arc
Russian: лук
Latin American Spanish: arco
Swedish: båge kurva
Thai: คันธนู
Turkish: yay
Ukrainian: лук
Vietnamese: cung
British English: bow /baʊ/ VERB
When you bow, you bend your body towards someone as a polite way of saying hello or thanking them.
They all bowed to the king.
American English: bow
Arabic: يَنْحَنِي ل
Brazilian Portuguese: fazer uma vénia
Chinese: 鞠躬
Croatian: nakloniti se
Czech: uklonit se
Danish: bukke
Dutch: buigen knielen
European Spanish: hacer una reverencia
Finnish: kumartaa
French: s’incliner
German: verbeugen
Greek: υποκλίνομαι
Italian: inchinarsi
Japanese: お辞儀をする
Korean: 절하다
Norwegian: bukke
Polish: ukłonić się
European Portuguese: fazer uma vénia
Romanian: a se înclina
Russian: кланяться
Latin American Spanish: hacer una reverencia
Swedish: buga (sig)
Thai: คำนับ
Turkish: baş eğme
Ukrainian: вклонятися
Vietnamese: cúi chào
British English: bow /bəʊ/ NOUN
knot A bow is a knot that you use to tie laces and ribbons.
American English: bow
Arabic: أُنْشُوطَة
Brazilian Portuguese: laço
Chinese: 蝴蝶结
Croatian: mašna
Czech: kličkana tkaničce
Danish: sløjfe
Dutch: strik
European Spanish: lazo
Finnish: rusetti
French: nœud ruban d'emballage
German: Haarschleife
Greek: φιόγκος
Italian: nodo
Japanese: ちょう結び
Korean: 매듭
Norwegian: knute
Polish: kokardka
European Portuguese: laço
Romanian: fundă
Russian: узел бантик
Latin American Spanish: lazo
Swedish: knut
Thai: โบว์
Turkish: papyon
Ukrainian: бант
Vietnamese: nơ
All related terms of 'bow'
up-bow
a stroke of the bow from its tip to its nut on a stringed instrument
bow oar
an oarsman at the bow of a boat
bow out
If you bow out of something, you stop taking part in it.
bow saw
a saw having a narrow blade held at both ends by a bowed handle
bow tie
A bow tie is a tie in the form of a bow. Bow ties are usually worn by men , especially for formal occasions .
bow-wow
an imitation of the bark of a dog
Bow Bells
the bells of St Mary-le-Bow in Cheapside, London : it is said that a true Cockney is born within earshot of these bells
bow doors
the doors in the bow of a ferry , which open for vehicles to drive on and off
bow down
If you refuse to bow down to another person, you refuse to show them respect or to behave in a way which you think would make you seem weaker or less important than them.
bow-front
having a front with a convex curve
bow hand
the hand that holds the bow in archery or in playing a violin , cello , etc.
bow legs
a condition in which the legs curve outwards like a bow between the ankle and the thigh
bow wave
wave that forms at the front of a ship
dicky bow
a bow tie
down-bow
a downward stroke of the bow from its nut to its tip across a stringed instrument
sound bow
the thick part of a bell against which the hammer strikes
wing bow
the color at the bend of a bird's wing formed by distinctive coloration of the lesser coverts
bow compass
a compass for drawing , in which the legs are joined by a flexible metal bow-shaped spring rather than a hinge , the angle being adjusted by a screw
bow weight
the poundage required to draw a bow to the full length of the arrow
bow window
a bay window in the shape of a curve
bulbous bow
a bulbous protuberance at the forefoot of a ship to reduce turbulence
Cupid's bow
a shape of the upper lip considered to resemble Cupid's double-curved bow
dickey bow
a bow tie
bow collector
a sliding current collector , consisting of a bow-shaped strip mounted on a hinged framework , used on trains, etc, to collect current from an overhead-wire
bow thruster
a propeller located in a ship's bow to provide added maneuverability, as when docking
take a bow
If an actor or entertainer takes a bow , he or she shows appreciation of an audience's applause by bowing to them.
bow and arrow
a weapon consisting of a bow together with an arrow that may be fired from it
bow and scrape
to be too respectful towards a powerful or famous person
bowleg
a leg that curves outwards
bow-spring compass
a compass for drawing , in which the legs are joined by a flexible metal bow-shaped spring rather than a hinge , the angle being adjusted by a screw
Bow Street runner
(in Britain from 1749 to 1829) an officer at Bow Street magistrates ' court, London, whose duty was to pursue and arrest criminals
on the port bow
within 45 degrees to the port of straight ahead
bow to the inevitable
If someone bows to the inevitable and does something that they do not want to do, they do it, because circumstances force them to do it.
on the starboard bow
within 45 degrees to the starboard of straight ahead
a shot across the bow
If you describe someone's actions as a shot across the bows of another person, you mean that it is a warning to that person to stop or change what they are doing.
bend the knee
to kneel or submit
bowman
an archer
bowmen
an oarsman at the bow of a boat
have another string to your bow
to have more than one useful skill , ability , or thing that you can use in case you are unsuccessful with the first skill, ability, or thing. In this expression , ` bow ' is pronounced with the same vowel sound as the word `show'.
a string to one's bow another string to your bow
If someone has more than one string to their bow , they have more than one ability or thing they can use if the first one they try is not successful .
bandy legs
a condition in which the legs curve outwards like a bow between the ankle and the thigh
Chinese translation of 'bow'
bow 1
(bəu)
n(c)
(= knot) 蝴蝶结(結) (húdiéjié) (个(個), gè)
(= weapon) 弓 (gōng) (把, bǎ)
(Mus) 琴弓 (qíngōng) (个(個), gè)
bow 2
(bau)
n(c)
(of head, body) 鞠躬 (jūgōng)
(Naut) (also bows) 船首 (chuánshǒu)
vi
(with head, body) 鞠躬 (jūgōng)
vt
[head]低头(頭) (dītóu)
to bow to[pressure, sb's wishes]服从(從) (fúcóng)
to bow to the inevitable向命运(運)低头(頭) (xiàng mìngyùn dītóu)