bossa nova

noun

bos·​sa no·​va ˌbä-sə-ˈnō-və 

1

: popular music of Brazilian origin that is rhythmically related to the samba but with complex harmonies and improvised jazzlike passages

2

: a dance performed to bossa nova music

Examples of bossa nova in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Toward the end, the tropical bolero suddenly morphs into a lilting bossa nova segment — almost as if the record itself chose to embrace the power of beauty over chaos and satire. — Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2026

That’s a marcha camión from Uruguayan murga, but mixed in with bossa nova. — Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

In bossa nova there was no melodrama, not in the lyrics, and not in the delivery. — Fernando Gonzalez, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026

Between the bossa nova, saxophone and unhurried rhythms, the album feels like a beach day in sound. — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese, literally, new trend

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bossa nova

• supernova
• villanova
• jehovah
• ova