noun Uncommon

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

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."

British informal: a toilet.

"He nipped off to the bog before the meeting started."

verb

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 notes

In 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

Word forms

bogger comparative, bogged past tense, bogged past tense, bogged past tense, bogged past tense, bogs plural, bogs plural, bogs singular, bogs singular, bogs singular, bogs singular, boggest superlative

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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."

Origin: Scottish Gaelic

Synonyms

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morass. See swamp

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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Vocabulary lists that include bog:

Words with Celtic origins