noun
Uncommon
bard
bahd
Bard (noun) means a poet, especially one who composes and performs verse celebrating heroes and great deeds. Example: “The old bard sang of battles fought long before anyone in the room was born.”
noun
1
A poet, especially one who composes and performs verse celebrating heroes and great deeds.
"The old bard sang of battles fought long before anyone in the room was born."
"Shakespeare is often called simply "the Bard.""
2
In fantasy games, a character class built around charisma, music, and magic that supports the rest of the party.
"She rolled up a bard so she could buff the party with songs mid-battle."
How to use bard
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA poet or singer who tells stories, especially heroic ones, in verse.
Common mistake
Capitalized "the Bard" almost always refers specifically to Shakespeare in English usage.
Common pairings
a wandering bard
the Bard of Avon
play a bard
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Word forms
- Plural
- bards
- Third person singular
- bards
- Past tense
- barded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old _____ sang of battles fought long before anyone in the room was born.
Etymology
From Scottish Gaelic bàrd, via Old Irish, ultimately from a Proto-Celtic word for "poet" — related to an ancient root meaning "to praise."
Rhymes for bard
See all rhymes for bard →Frequently asked questions
What does “bard” mean?
The word “bard” means a poet, especially one who composes and performs verse celebrating heroes and great deeds. In plain terms, a poet or singer who tells stories, especially heroic ones, in verse.
How do you pronounce “bard”?
“Bard” is pronounced bahd (/bɑɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “bard” in a sentence?
Here is “bard” used in a sentence: “The old bard sang of battles fought long before anyone in the room was born.”
What part of speech is “bard”?
“Bard” is a noun.
Where does the word “bard” come from?
The word “bard” comes from Proto-Celtic. From Scottish Gaelic bàrd, via Old Irish, ultimately from a Proto-Celtic word for "poet" — related to an ancient root meaning "to praise.".
Is “bard” a common word?
“Bard” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “bard” have?
“Bard” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a poet, especially one who composes and performs verse celebrating heroes and great deeds.
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