bow

1 of 5

verb (1)

ˈbau̇ 

bowed; bowing; bows

intransitive verb

1

: to cease from competition or resistance : submit, yield

refusing to bow to the inevitable

—John O'Hara

also : to suffer defeat

bowed to the champion

2

: to bend the head, body, or knee in reverence, submission, or shame

Bow before the king.

bowed her head in shame

3

: to incline the head or body in salutation or assent or to acknowledge applause

bowing to the audience

4

: debut

the play will bow next month

transitive verb

1

: to cause to incline

wind bowing the treetops

2

: to incline especially in respect or submission

bow their heads in prayer

3

: to crush with a heavy burden

whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave Shakespeare

4

a

: to express by bending the head, body, or knee : to express by bowing

bowing his appreciation

b

: to usher in or out with a bow (see bow entry 2)

bow

2 of 5

noun (1)

ˈbau̇ 

: a bending of the head or body in respect, submission, assent, or salutation

also : a show of respect or submission

smiled and gave a bow

bow

3 of 5

noun (2)

ˈbō 

1

a

: something bent into a simple curve or arc

b

: rainbow

2

: a weapon that is used to propel an arrow and that is made of a strip of flexible material (such as wood) with a cord connecting the two ends and holding the strip bent

hunting with bow and arrow

3

: archer

4

a

: a metal ring or loop forming a handle (as of a key)

b

: a knot formed by doubling a ribbon or string into two or more loops

c

: bow tie sense 1

d

: a frame for the lenses of eyeglasses

also : the sidepiece of the frame passing over the ear

5

music

a

: a wooden rod with horsehairs stretched from end to end used in playing an instrument of the viol or violin family

b

: a stroke of such a bow

on the up bow

bow

4 of 5

verb (2)

ˈbō 

bowed; bowing; bows

intransitive verb

1

: to bend into a curve

the wall bows a little

2

music : to play a stringed instrument with a bow (see bow entry 3 sense 5a)

transitive verb

1

: to cause to bend into a curve

Years of riding had bowed his legs.

2

music : to play (a stringed instrument) with a bow

bowing the strings

bow

5 of 5

noun (3)

ˈbau̇ 

1

nautical : the forward part of a ship

—often used in plural

crossing the bows

2

nautical : bowman entry 2

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• succumb
• submit
• surrender
• concede
• budge
• capitulate

Noun (2)

• bend
• curvature
• curve
• turn
• angle
• wind
• arch

Verb (2)

• curve

Examples of bow in a Sentence

Verb (1)

finally bowed to the judge's insistence that she change her outfit

bowed to the craving for fresh coffee

Noun (2)

her full lips form a pair of perfect bows

Verb (2)

the river bows gently to the north before it reaches the sea

you'll have to gently bow the strip of wood in order to fit it in

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

That book bow at No. 2 on the New York Times’ bestseller list. —Chris Willman, Variety, 10 July 2025

Liverpool’s captain walked slowly, head slightly bowed, his hands clasping a wreath of red flowers in the shape of a football shirt. —Andy Jones, New York Times, 6 July 2025

Noun

As patron, Kate also wore a Wimbledon purple and green bow pinned to the left side of her top. —Stephanie Petit, People.com, 12 July 2025

So, offer a grateful bow at the sushi grave before heading out for more omakase. —Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1) and Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English būgan; akin to Old High German biogan to bend, Sanskrit bhujati he bends

Noun (2) and Verb (2)

Middle English bowe, from Old English boga; akin to Old English būgan

Noun (3)

Middle English bowe, bowgh, probably from Middle Dutch boech bow, shoulder; akin to Old English bōg bough

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (1)

circa 1656, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (3)

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bow

• a shot across the/someone's bow(s)
• bow and scrape
• bow down to (someone or something)
• bow out
• bow saw
• bow shock
• bow tie
• bow window
• Cupid's bow
• down-bow
• have more than one string to one's bow
• sound bow
• take a bow
• tie a bow
• up-bow

Rhymes for bow

• bough
• brow
• chow
• ciao
• clow
• cow
• dao
• dow
• frau
• hao
• hau
• how

Kids Definition

bow

1 of 5 verb

ˈbau̇ 

1

: to bend the head, body, or knee in greeting, respect, agreement, or obedience

2

: yield entry 1 sense 5

bow to authority

3

: bend entry 1 sense 6

bowed with age

4

: to express by bowing

bow one's thanks

bow

2 of 5 noun

: a bending of the head or body expressing respect, agreement, obedience, or greeting

bow

3 of 5 noun

ˈbō 

1

: rainbow

2

: a weapon used for shooting arrows that is usually made of a strip of wood bent by a cord connecting the two ends

3

: something that is curved like a bow

4

: a wooden rod with horsehairs stretched from end to end used for playing a violin or similar instrument

5

: a knot made with two or more loops

tie the ribbon in a bow

bow

4 of 5 verb

ˈbō 

1

: to bend into a curve

2

: to play a stringed instrument with a bow

bow

5 of 5 noun

ˈbau̇ 

: the forward part of a ship

Etymology

Verb

Middle English bowen "to bend, yield," from Old English būgan "to bend in obedience"

Noun

Middle English bowe "something curved," from Old English boga (same meaning)

Noun

Middle English bowe (same meaning), probably from early Dutch boech "bow, shoulder"

Medical Definition

bow

noun

ˈbō 

: a frame for the lenses of eyeglasses

also : the curved sidepiece of the frame passing over the ear

Geographical Definition

Bow

geographical name

ˈbō 

river 315 miles (507 kilometers) long in southwestern Alberta, Canada, rising in Banff National Park