bow

Pronunciation

noun 1, verb 1

• (UK) enPR: bō, IPA: /bəʊ/, SAMPA: /b@U/
• (US) enPR: bō, IPA: /boʊ/, SAMPA: /boU/

noun 2, verb 2, noun 3

• enPR: bou
• IPA: /baʊ/
• SAMPA: /baU/

Homophones

noun 1, verb 1

• beau

noun 2, verb 2, noun 3

• bough

Noun 1

Singular bow

Plural bows

1. A weapon whose ends are connected by a string, used for shooting arrows.
2. A curved bend. Such as in a river or road.
3. A long thing used for playing stringed musical instruments.
4. A type of knot with two loops, such as used to tie shoes or strings on a dress, or to make something pretty, such as in gifts.

• 

  A bow

• 

  A musical bow

• 

  A bowtie

Synonyms

• (bow-shaped bend) arc, bend, curve
• (tool for playing stringed instruments) fiddlestick

Related word and phrases

• bow and arrow
• bowman
• crossbow
• longbow
• oxbow
• rainbow
• shortbow
• bow tie

Verb 1

Plain form bow

Third-person singular bows

Past tense bowed

Past participle bowed

Present participle bowing

1. To play music on (a stringed instrument) using a bow.

   The musician bowed his violin expertly.

2. (intransitive) To become bent or curved.

   The shelf bowed under the weight of the books.

3. (transitive) To make something bend or curve.

Noun 2

Singular bow

Plural bows

1. To bend the waist or head forward toward someone, usually showing respect.

   He bowed politely as he entered the room.

Verb 2

Plain form bow

Third-person singular bows

Past tense bowed

Past participle bowed

Present participle bowing

1. (intransitive) To bend oneself as a sign of respect.

Related words and phrases

• bow down
• bow out
• bow and scrape
• bow to someone's better judgement
• take a bow
• curtsy
• kowtow

Noun 3

Singular bow

Plural bows

The bow of a ship

1. (nautical) The front of a boat or ship.