noun
Uncommon
bog
bog
Bog (noun) means an area of soft, wet, spongy ground formed from decayed plant matter, especially moss. Example: “Their boots sank into the bog with every step.”
noun
1
An area of soft, wet, spongy ground formed from decayed plant matter, especially moss.
"Their boots sank into the bog with every step."
"Peat is harvested from bogs and dried for fuel."
2
British informal: a toilet.
"He nipped off to the bog before the meeting started."
verb
1
To become stuck or unable to make progress, often in the phrase "bog down."
"The negotiations bogged down over minor details."
"The truck got bogged in the mud after the storm."
How to use bog
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWet, soft, marshy ground — or, as a verb, to get stuck and unable to move forward.
When to use it
The "toilet" sense is informal British slang.
Common pairings
bogged down
peat bog
sink into a bog
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Word forms
- Plural
- bogs
- Third person singular
- bogs
- Past tense
- bogged
- Comparative
- bogger
- Superlative
- boggest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Their boots sank into the _____ with every step.
Etymology
From Irish and Scottish Gaelic bogach, "soft, boggy ground," ultimately from a Celtic root meaning "soft."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “bog” mean?
The word “bog” means an area of soft, wet, spongy ground formed from decayed plant matter, especially moss. In plain terms, wet, soft, marshy ground — or, as a verb, to get stuck and unable to move forward.
How do you pronounce “bog”?
“Bog” is pronounced bog (/bɔɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bog” in a sentence?
Here is “bog” used in a sentence: “Their boots sank into the bog with every step.”
What is another word for “bog”?
Words with a similar meaning to “bog” include morass. See swamp.
What part of speech is “bog”?
Depending on how it is used, “bog” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bog” come from?
The word “bog” comes from Scottish Gaelic. From Irish and Scottish Gaelic bogach, "soft, boggy ground," ultimately from a Celtic root meaning "soft.".
Is “bog” a common word?
“Bog” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “bog” have?
“Bog” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an area of soft, wet, spongy ground formed from decayed plant matter, especially moss.
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