Bowie
3 synonyms for Bowie, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A thick, single-edged fixed-blade knife, traditionally with a clipped point, used for hunting and self-defense.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
hunting knife
fixed-blade knife
sheath knife
How to use Bowie
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
bowie knife
carry a bowie
Etymology
Named after Jim Bowie, the 19th-century American frontiersman associated with this style of large hunting knife.
Full origin of Bowie →Frequently asked questions
What does “Bowie” mean?
The word “Bowie” means a thick, single-edged fixed-blade knife, traditionally with a clipped point, used for hunting and self-defense. In plain terms, a big, sturdy hunting knife named after a famous frontiersman.
How do you pronounce “Bowie”?
“Bowie” is pronounced BOH-ee (/ˈboʊ.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “Bowie” in a sentence?
Here is “Bowie” used in a sentence: “He carried a bowie knife strapped to his belt on the camping trip.”
What part of speech is “Bowie”?
“Bowie” is a noun.
Where does the word “Bowie” come from?
The word “Bowie” dates back to around 1800. Named after Jim Bowie, the 19th-century American frontiersman associated with this style of large hunting knife.
Is “Bowie” a common word?
“Bowie” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What makes a Bowie knife different from other hunting knives?
A Bowie knife is a thick, single-edged fixed-blade knife traditionally featuring a clipped point, designed for both hunting and self-defense. Its distinctive blade shape and sturdy build set it apart from thinner, general-purpose hunting knives.
Why is it capitalized as "Bowie knife"?
"Bowie" is capitalized because it functions as a proper noun in this context, naming a specific style of knife rather than describing a generic type of blade.
Is a Bowie knife the same as a machete?
No, a Bowie knife is a fixed-blade knife with a clipped point designed for hunting and self-defense, while a machete is typically longer and thinner and used mainly for cutting through vegetation.
