bob

verb (1)

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\ ˈbäb

bobbed; bobbing

Definition of bob

(Entry 1 of 7)

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

1a : 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

noun (1)

Definition of bob (Entry 2 of 7)

1a : a short quick down-and-up motion

b Scotland : any of several folk dances

2 obsolete : a blow or tap especially with the fist

3a : 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

verb (2)

bobbed; bobbing

Definition of bob (Entry 3 of 7)

transitive verb

1 obsolete : deceive, cheat

2 obsolete : to take by fraud : filch

bob

noun (2)

Definition of bob (Entry 4 of 7)

1a(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

verb (3)

bobbed; bobbing

Definition of bob (Entry 5 of 7)

transitive verb

1 : to cut shorter : crop bob a horse's tail

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

bob

noun (3)

plural bob

Definition of bob (Entry 6 of 7)

slang, British

: shilling

bob

noun (4)

Definition of bob (Entry 7 of 7)

: bobsled

Synonyms for bob

Synonyms: Verb (1)

Synonyms: Noun (2)

Synonyms: Verb (3)

First Known Use of bob

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

History and Etymology for bob

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

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Cite this Entry

“Bob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bob. Accessed 7 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for bob

bob

verb

\ ˈbäb

bobbed; bobbing

Kids Definition of bob

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : to move or cause to move with a short jerky up-and-down motion

2 : to try to seize something with the teeth bob for apples

bob

noun

Kids Definition of bob (Entry 2 of 4)

: a short jerky up-and-down motion

bob

noun

Kids Definition of bob (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : a float used to buoy up the baited end of a fishing line

2 : a woman's or child's short haircut

bob

verb

bobbed; bobbing

Kids Definition of bob (Entry 4 of 4)

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

2 : to cut shorter bob a dog's tail

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bob

Definition of bob

Synonyms for bob

First Known Use of bob

History and Etymology for bob

Learn More about bob

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