bash
Bash (verb) means to hit something hard and roughly. Example: “He bashed his knee on the coffee table in the dark.”
How to use bash
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo hit something hard, to criticise something harshly, or (as a noun) a big party.
Don't confuse with Bash, the capitalised name of the Unix command-line shell — unrelated in modern usage even though spelled the same.
Word forms
bashed past tense, bashed past tense, bashes plural, bashes singular, bashes singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ his knee on the coffee table in the dark.
Etymology
From Middle English, probably from a Scandinavian source related to Old Norse baska, "to strike" — the same root family as Swedish basa, "to whip."
Related words
Rhymes for bash
See all rhymes for bash →Frequently asked questions
What does “bash” mean?
The word “bash” means to hit something hard and roughly. In plain terms, to hit something hard, to criticise something harshly, or (as a noun) a big party.
How do you pronounce “bash”?
“Bash” is pronounced bash (/bæʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bash” in a sentence?
Here is “bash” used in a sentence: “He bashed his knee on the coffee table in the dark.”
What part of speech is “bash”?
Depending on how it is used, “bash” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “bash” come from?
The word “bash” comes from Middle English. From Middle English, probably from a Scandinavian source related to Old Norse baska, "to strike" — the same root family as Swedish basa, "to whip.".
Is “bash” a common word?
“Bash” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “bash” have?
“Bash” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to hit something hard and roughly.
What is the difference between "bash" and "hit"?
"Bash" implies a hard, rough, often clumsy blow, while "hit" is a neutral word that covers any strike, gentle or forceful. "Bash" also carries an informal, everyday tone rather than a technical or formal one.
Is "bash" used only for physical hitting?
No. "Bash" also means to criticise someone or something harshly and often unfairly, as in "critics bashed the new film." This figurative sense is just as common as the physical one, especially in journalism and casual speech.
What does "bash" mean when used as a noun, as in "birthday bash"?
As a noun, "bash" is an informal word for a lively party or celebration, such as a "birthday bash" or "leaving bash." This usage is casual and typically avoided in formal writing.
Is it correct to say "bash on someone" or "bash someone"?
"Bash someone" (no preposition) is the standard form for the criticism sense, as in "the report bashed the government." "Bash on" is not a standard construction for this meaning; "bash away at" is sometimes used instead for repeated physical striking.
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