Bob
/bɒb/
nounBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meanings
Question
Definitions
3 meanings1
A short, quick up-and-down movement.
/bɒb/
nounneutralBeginner
General
The boat bobbed gently on the waves.
💡 Simply: A quick up and down move.
More Examples
2
She gave her head a little bob.
How It's Used
Physics
"The pendulum made a steady bob."
Everyday
"He gave the fishing rod a bob."
2
A short hairstyle.
/bɒb/
nounneutralBeginner
General
She sports a chic bob.
💡 Simply: Short haircut.
How It's Used
Fashion
"She had a stylish bob haircut."
Tip:Think of a bobbing head of hair.
3
To move up and down rhythmically.
/bɒb/
verbneutralBeginner
General
The buoy bobbed in the water.
💡 Simply: To move up and down.
How It's Used
General
"The bird bobbed its head."
Tip:Imagine a bobber on a fishing line.
From Middle English *bobbe, probably of imitative origin.
The word's use as a short haircut is relatively modern.
Memory tip
Think of a bobbing cork on water.
Practice
bobbbop
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written