noun
Uncommon
bach
bach
Bach (noun) means a bachelor. Example: “He's content living the life of a bach.”
noun
1
A bachelor.
"He's content living the life of a bach."
"My uncle remained a bach well into his fifties."
"Being a bach, he rarely cooked a proper meal."
2
In New Zealand and Australian English, a small, simple holiday house, often near the beach.
"They spend every Christmas at the family bach on the coast."
"We borrowed a friend's bach for a quiet weekend by the sea."
"The old bach has a leaky roof but a wonderful view."
verb
1
To live alone as an unmarried man, handling one's own cooking and housekeeping.
"He's been baching it since the divorce."
"He baches in a tiny flat and cooks pasta most nights."
"After his flatmates moved out, Tom spent a year baching."
How to use bach
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA bachelor, or — mainly in New Zealand English — a small holiday cottage.
UK vs US
The "holiday cottage" sense is distinctly New Zealand and Australian English; it isn't used this way in the UK or US.
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Word forms
- Plural
- baches
- Third person singular
- baches
- Past tense
- bached
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He's content living the life of a _____.
Etymology
A shortened form of "bachelor" (or "bachelor pad").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for bach
See all rhymes for bach →Frequently asked questions
What does “bach” mean?
The word “bach” means a bachelor. In plain terms, a bachelor, or — mainly in New Zealand English — a small holiday cottage.
How do you pronounce “bach”?
“Bach” is pronounced bach (/bæt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bach” in a sentence?
Here is “bach” used in a sentence: “He's content living the life of a bach.”
What part of speech is “bach”?
Depending on how it is used, “bach” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “bach” a common word?
“Bach” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “bach” have?
“Bach” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a bachelor.
What does 'bach' mean in New Zealand and Australia?
In New Zealand and Australian English, a bach is a small, simple holiday house, often located near the beach. It is pronounced like 'batch' rather than like the composer's name, and typically describes a modest, no-frills getaway property rather than a luxury home.
What does it mean to 'bach' as a verb?
To bach means to live alone as an unmarried man, handling one's own cooking and housekeeping. This verb use is somewhat old-fashioned and derives from the noun 'bachelor,' describing independent domestic living rather than any particular location.
Is 'bach' related to the word 'bachelor'?
Yes, bach can be a shortened form of bachelor, referring to an unmarried man, and the verb 'to bach' comes directly from this sense. The unrelated New Zealand and Australian meaning of bach as a holiday house comes from a separate usage, so context makes clear which sense is intended.
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