bob

1 of 7

verb (1)

ˈbäb 

bobbed; bobbing

transitive verb

1

: to strike with a quick light blow : rap

2

: to move up and down in a short quick movement

bob the head

3

: to polish with a bob : buff

intransitive verb

1

a

: to move up and down briefly or repeatedly

b

: to emerge, arise, or appear suddenly or unexpectedly

2

: to nod or curtsy briefly

3

: to try to seize a suspended or floating object with the teeth

bob

2 of 7

noun (1)

1

a

: a short quick down-and-up motion

b

Scotland : any of several folk dances

2

obsolete : a blow or tap especially with the fist

3

a

: a modification of the order in change ringing

b

: a method of change ringing using a bob

4

: a small polishing wheel of solid felt or leather with rounded edges

bob

3 of 7

verb (2)

bobbed; bobbing

transitive verb

1

obsolete : deceive, cheat

2

obsolete : to take by fraud : filch

bob

4 of 7

noun (2)

1

a(1)

: bunch, cluster

(2)

Scotland : nosegay

b

: a knob, knot, twist, or curl especially of ribbons, yarn, or hair

c

: a short haircut on a woman or child

2

: float sense 2a

3

: a hanging ball or weight (as on a plumb line)

4

: trifle sense 1

bits and bobs

bob

5 of 7

verb (3)

bobbed; bobbing

transitive verb

1

: to cut shorter : crop

bob a horse's tail

2

: to cut (hair) in the style of a bob

bob

6 of 7

noun (3)

plural bob

British slang

: shilling

bob

7 of 7

noun (4)

: bobsled

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• bobble
• jog
• jounce
• nod
• pump
• seesaw
• wag

Noun (2)

• bouquet
• nosegay
• posy

Verb (3)

• clip
• crop
• cut
• cut back
• dock
• lop (off)
• nip
• pare
• poll
• prune
• shave
• shear
• snip
• trim

Examples of bob in a Sentence

Verb (1)

a family of ducks bobbing on the water

he playfully bobbed his brother on the nose to get his attention

Noun (2)

the lassie carried only a little bob on her wedding day

Verb (3)

bobbed her waist-length hair herself on her 18th birthday

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In the footage, a dark object could be seen bobbing around in the water. —Greg Norman, Fox News, 14 June 2024

Some 1,200 businesses are now bobbing around in limbo despite having poured lots of money into finding locations and navigating bureaucratic hurdles. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 May 2024

Noun

Charlene made a fashion statement in the flare-legged number with diagonal, sheer lace inserts on the bodice, styling her hair in a wispy bob. —Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 19 June 2024

The thick, voluminous hair helps balance the round face in ways not all short hair cuts can. 08 of 15 Curly Short Bob Curls look extra voluminous and bouncy on a chin-grazing bob with layers to add depth. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 30 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English boben

Verb (2)

Middle English bobben, from Old French bober

Noun (2)

Middle English bobbe

Noun (3)

perhaps from the name Bob

First Known Use

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb (3)

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1789, in the meaning defined above

Noun (4)

1856, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bob

• a few bob
• bob for apples
• bob veal
• plumb bob

Kids Definition

bob

1 of 4 verb

ˈbäb 

bobbed; bobbing

1

a

: to move or cause to move up and down in a short quick movement

bob the head

a cork bobbing in the water

b

: to appear suddenly or unexpectedly

may bob up anywhere

2

: to grasp or make a grab with the teeth

bob for apples

bob

2 of 4 noun

: a short jerky motion

a bob of the head

bob

3 of 4 noun

1

: a woman's or child's short haircut

2

: a weight hanging from a line

3

: float entry 1 sense 2a

bob

4 of 4 verb

bobbed; bobbing

1

: to cut shorter : crop

2

: to cut (hair) in the style of a bob

Etymology

Verb

Middle English boben, bobben "to hit or beat"

Noun

from earlier bob "a knot or twist of yarn or hair," from Middle English bobbe "bunch, cluster"