bob
English meaning: Bob
Definition
A bobbing motion; a quick up and down movement.
Example
“a bob of the head”
Another example: “She had her long hair cut into a neat bob.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Primarily a common first name (short for Robert) and surname; as a common noun it means a small bobbing movement, a short haircut, or (dated British slang) a shilling. The 'haircut' and 'movement' senses are everyday; 'bob' as money is old-fashioned.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Middle English 'bobben' (to strike, move up and down), of uncertain origin; the haircut sense dates from the early 20th century.
Synonyms
- tail
- dock
- curtsy
- bobtail
- shilling
- bobber
- cork
- bobsled
- british shilling
- bobfloat
Related Words
- marley
- dylan
- dole
- rae
- wills
- weir
- bryan
- crosby
- hope
- carr
Common Collocations
- bob of the head
- short bob
- bob up and down
- bob haircut
- plumb bob
- bob and weave
Word Forms
bob (n & v); bobs; bobbed; bobbing
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B