Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

bass

noun (1)
\ ˈbas How to pronounce bass (audio) \
plural bass or basses

Definition of bass

 (Entry 1 of 4)

: any of numerous edible marine or freshwater bony fishes (especially families Centrarchidae, Serranidae, and Percichthyidae of the order Perciformes)

bass

adjective
\ ˈbās How to pronounce bass (audio) \

Definition of bass (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : deep or grave in tone
2a : of low pitch
b : relating to or having the range or part of a bass

bass

noun (2)
\ ˈbās How to pronounce bass (audio) \

Definition of bass (Entry 3 of 4)

1a : the lowest voice part in a 4-part chorus
b : the lower half of the whole vocal or instrumental tonal range — compare treble entry 1
c : the lowest adult male singing voice also : a person having this voice
d : a member of a family of instruments having the lowest range especially : double bass
2 : a deep or grave tone : a low-pitched sound

bass

noun (3)
\ ˈbas How to pronounce bass (audio) \

Definition of bass (Entry 4 of 4)

1 : basswood sense 1
2 : a coarse tough fiber from palms
Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about bass

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for bass

Synonyms: Adjective

deep, grave, low, throaty

Antonyms: Adjective

acute, high, high-pitched, piping, sharp, shrill, treble

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Examples of bass in a Sentence

Adjective

 the sound of the bass drum a man with an impressive bass voice

First Known Use of bass

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

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

Noun (3)

1774, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for bass

Noun (1)

Middle English base, bærs, from Old English bærs; akin to Old High German bersich perch

Adjective

Middle English bas base — more at base entry 3

Noun (2)

Middle English bas, noun derivative of bas base entry 2

Noun (3)

alteration of bast

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about bass

Dictionary Entries near bass

basquine

Basra

bas-relief

bass

bassa

Bassa

bass-ackward

Statistics for bass

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for bass

The first known use of bass was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for bass

bass

adjective
How to pronounce bass (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of bass

: having or indicating a low sound or range

See the full definition for bass in the English Language Learners Dictionary

bass

noun
\ ˈbas How to pronounce bass (audio) \
plural bass or basses

Kids Definition of bass

 (Entry 1 of 3)

: any of numerous freshwater or saltwater fishes that are caught for sport and food

bass

noun
\ ˈbās How to pronounce bass (audio) \

Kids Definition of bass (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : a tone of low pitch
2 : the lowest part in harmony that has four parts
3 : the lower half of the musical pitch range
4 : the lowest male singing voice
5 : a singer or an instrument having a bass range or part

bass

adjective

Kids Definition of bass (Entry 3 of 3)

: having a very low sound or range bass drums

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on bass

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with bass

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bass

Spanish Central: Translation of bass

Nglish: Translation of bass for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of bass for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bass

Comments on bass

What made you want to look up bass? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

commemorate

Listen to the pronounciation of commemorate

to mark by some ceremony or observation

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

  • stylized drawing of woman pole vaulting across gap to get trophy
  • Which is a synonym of fuliginous?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games