bow

Pluralbows

Formsbows, bowing, bowed

1. 1
   ribbon knotnouncountable

   A knot with two loops, often used to tie shoelaces or to decorate presents.

   Like the two loops you make when you tie your shoes.

   She tied her shoelaces into a neat bow.

   He wrapped the gift and topped it with a bright red bow.

   UsageSay it like go. You tie a ribbon in a bow.

2. 2
   weaponnouncountable

   A weapon made from a bent stick and a tight string, used to shoot arrows.

   Like a spring that pushes the arrow forward when you let go of the string.

   She pulled back the string of her bow and aimed at the target.

   The hunter carried a wooden bow over his shoulder.

   UsageSay it like go. People shoot with a bow and arrow.

3. 3
   USUKBOW/baʊ/

   bend at waistverbintransitive

   To bend your head or body forward to show respect.

   Like bending forward to say thank you without using words.

   The dancers bow when the music stops.

   He bowed to the audience before leaving the stage.

   Similarbend, stoop, kowtow, genuflect

4. 4
   USUKBOW/baʊ/

   ship's frontnouncountable

   The front end of a ship or boat, which cuts through the water.

   Like the front of a car that leads the way down the road.

   Waves splashed over the bow as the boat sped up.

   She stood at the bow and watched the harbor come closer.

   UsageSay it like cow. The back of a ship is the stern.

   Similarprow, stem, fore

   Oppositestern, aft

   Note
5. 5
   USUKBOW/baʊ/

   nouncountable

   A way of showing respect by bending your head or upper body forward.

   Like nodding your head, but with your whole upper body.

   The actor gave a deep bow at the end of the show.

   She made a small bow to greet the visitors.

   Similarobeisance, nod

   Note
6. 6
   USUKBOW/baʊ/

   give inverbintransitive

   To give in to someone or something more powerful.

   Like finally agreeing because everyone keeps pushing you to.

   In the end, they bowed to the demands of the angry crowd.

   Leaders sometimes bow to public pressure.

   UsageSay bow to: they bowed to pressure.

   Similaryield, submit, succumb, defer, capitulate

   Oppositeresist, defy, withstand

   Note
7. 7
   violin sticknouncountable

   A thin stick with tight hairs, pulled across the strings to make music.

   Like a stick you slide across strings to make them sing.

   She lifted her bow and began to play the violin.

   Before the concert, she rubbed rosin on her bow.

   UsageSay it like go.

   Note
8. 8
   play stringsverbtransitive or intransitive

   To play a stringed instrument by moving a bow across the strings.

   Like dragging a brush across strings to make them ring.

   She bowed the strings gently to make a soft, low sound.

   Beginners learn to bow slowly before they play fast pieces.

   Oppositepluck

   Note
9. 9
   arcnouncountable

   A curved shape, like a rainbow or a bend in a river.

   Like the curved shape a rainbow makes across the sky.

   A bright bow of color appeared in the sky after the rain.

   The bridge formed a graceful bow over the river.

   UsageSay it like go, as in rainbow.

   Similararc, curve, arch, bend

   Note
10. 10
    curveverbintransitive

    To become curved, or to make something curved.

    Like a ruler that bends when you press both of its ends.

    The shelves bow under the weight of all the books.

    The old fence bowed after years of rain.

    UsageSay it like go. Shelves bow under heavy books.

    Similarbend, warp, buckle, curve, sag

    Oppositestraighten

11. 11
    USUKBOW/baʊ/

    debutverbtransitive or intransitive

    To appear or be shown to the public for the very first time.

    Like a movie opening in theaters for the first time.

    The new musical bows next month on Broadway.

    The studio will bow its latest film at the festival.

    Similardebut, premiere, open, launch, release

    Note

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