bass

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈbas 

plural bass or basses

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

bass

2 of 4

adjective

ˈbās 

1

: deep or grave in tone

2

a

: of low pitch

b

: relating to or having the range or part of a bass

bass

3 of 4

noun (2)

ˈbās 

plural basses

1

a

: 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: such as

(1)

: double bass

(2)

: bass guitar

2

: a deep or grave tone : a low-pitched sound

bass

4 of 4

noun (3)

ˈbas 

1

: basswood sense 1

2

: a coarse tough fiber from palms

Synonyms of bass

Adjective

• deep
• low

Examples of bass in a Sentence

Adjective

the sound of the bass drum

a man with an impressive bass voice

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The piece, performed by the Singaporean-British mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron, the bass-baritone Davóne Tines, and the New York Philharmonic Chorus, has its world première under the baton of the orchestra’s soon-to-be director Gustavo Dudamel. —Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026

This is bad news for the species that eat crayfish — a long list that includes most wading birds and small mammals, along with alligators, turtles, bass, gar, and other gamefish. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 12 Mar. 2026

These budget-friendly Soundcore earbuds punch well above their price point, offering serious noise cancellation and powerful bass for around $30. —Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026

Finally, the recipe calls for a mild whitefish, such as cod, bass or halibut. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing bass

• bass clef
• bass drum
• bass fiddle
• bass guitar
• bass horn
• bass viol
• black bass
• calico bass
• channel bass
• Chilean sea bass
• double bass
• electric bass
• figured bass
• ground bass
• kelp bass
• largemouth bass
• palmetto bass
• rock bass
• sea bass
• smallmouth bass
• string bass
• striped bass
• sunshine bass
• white bass
• whiterock bass
• white sea bass

Rhymes for bass

• ass
• bras
• brass
• casse
• chasse
• class
• crass
• das
• dass
• frass
• gas
• lass

Kids Definition

bass

1 of 2 noun

ˈbas 

plural bass or basses

: any of various spiny-finned freshwater or saltwater sport and food fishes

bass

2 of 2 noun

ˈbās 

1

a

: the lowest musical part in harmony for four parts compare alto sense 1b, soprano entry 2 sense 1, tenor sense 2a

b

: the lower half of a musical tone range compare treble

2

a

: the lowest male singing voice or a person who has this voice

b

: a person or instrument performing the bass part

bass adjective

Etymology

Noun

Old English bærs "bass"

Noun

Middle English bas (adjective) "being or having a low solemn tone"