# bow

/ˈbaʊ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bow
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 2. decorative knot

noun · CEFR A2

a knot with two loops used for decoration or to tie shoelaces.

For teachers: a decorative knot consisting of two or more loops and two loose ends.

- She tied a bright red bow on the birthday gift.
- The child struggled to tie a neat bow on his sneakers, eventually settling for a messy double knot.

Usage: Pronounced /boʊ/.

### 3. musical tool

noun · CEFR B1

a wooden stick with hair stretched across it, used to play instruments like the violin.

For teachers: a rod with horsehair stretched between its ends, used to vibrate the strings of a musical instrument.

- The violinist applied rosin to her bow before the concert started.
- The cellist drew the bow across the strings with such intensity that the entire auditorium seemed to vibrate with the opening chord.

Usage: Pronounced /boʊ/.

### 4. gesture of respect

noun · CEFR A2

the act of bending your head or body forward to show respect or say thank you.

For teachers: a forward inclination of the head or body as a mark of respect, greeting, or submission.

- The actors took a final bow as the audience cheered.
- The diplomat offered a shallow bow to the monarch, adhering strictly to the traditional protocols of the court.

Usage: Pronounced /baʊ/.

### 5. front of a ship

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the front part of a boat or ship.

For teachers: the forward part of the hull of a ship or boat.

- Waves crashed against the bow of the ship during the storm.
- The lookout stood at the bow, scanning the horizon for any sign of land through the thick morning fog.

Usage: Pronounced /baʊ/. Often used in the plural 'the bows'.

### 6. to bend the body

verb · CEFR A2

to bend your head or body forward to show respect.

For teachers: to incline the body or head in salutation, subjection, or reverence.

- Everyone had to bow when the queen entered the room.
- The monks would bow deeply before the altar each time they entered the sanctuary for prayer.

Usage: Pronounced /baʊ/.

### 7. to give in

verb · CEFR B2

to agree to do something because of pressure from others.

For teachers: to submit or yield to pressure, authority, or a superior force.

- The government refused to bow to the demands of the protesters.
- Despite intense lobbying from the corporate sector, the senator refused to bow to political pressure and maintained her stance on the environmental bill.

Usage: Pronounced /baʊ/. Often followed by the preposition 'to'.

## Examples

- The waves splash against the bow of the boat.
- The lookout stood at the bow of the ship to watch for icebergs in the distance.
- As the vessel crested the swell, the bow dipped sharply into the trough, sending a spray of saltwater across the forward deck and soaking the crew.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.