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
Antônio Carlos Jobim had already penned most of the songs that define his legacy as the father of bossa nova when Elis Regina showed up at his door in February 1974, three-year-old son in tow, to record Elis & Tom.
—
Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 13 June 2026
Brazil loves the toys and the franchise, so look for Teela and He-Man to do the bossa nova there; Galitzine and Knight recently did a tour there last week.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 June 2026
Rhythms of bossa nova and Brazilian funk cascade from overhead speakers into the narrow Adams Morgan space.
—Elazar Sontag, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2026
One lovely sequence sees an outdoor lunch at the lodge turn into an impromptu dance party with a live musician singing some cheerfully inauthentic bossa nova.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bossa nova
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Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 13 June 2026
Brazil loves the toys and the franchise, so look for Teela and He-Man to do the bossa nova there; Galitzine and Knight recently did a tour there last week.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 June 2026
Rhythms of bossa nova and Brazilian funk cascade from overhead speakers into the narrow Adams Morgan space.
—Elazar Sontag, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2026
One lovely sequence sees an outdoor lunch at the lodge turn into an impromptu dance party with a live musician singing some cheerfully inauthentic bossa nova.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bossa nova
Cite this Entry
“Bossa nova.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bossa%20nova. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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