noun
bongo
BONG-goh
Bongo (noun) means one of a pair of small hand drums, played by beating with the fingers and palms. Example: “He tapped out a rhythm on his bongos at the beach.”
noun
1
One of a pair of small hand drums, played by beating with the fingers and palms.
"He tapped out a rhythm on his bongos at the beach."
2
A large striped antelope native to African forests.
"The bongo is one of the largest forest antelopes in the world."
How to use bongo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually refers to the small paired drums played with the hands; less commonly, a striped African antelope.
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Word forms
- Plural
- bongos, bongoes
- Third person singular
- bongos
- Past tense
- bongoed
Fill the gap
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He tapped out a rhythm on his _____ at the beach.
Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish bongo, referring to the Afro-Cuban hand drum.
Synonyms
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bongo drum
Rhymes for bongo
See all rhymes for bongo →Frequently asked questions
What does “bongo” mean?
The word “bongo” means one of a pair of small hand drums, played by beating with the fingers and palms. In plain terms, usually refers to the small paired drums played with the hands; less commonly, a striped African antelope.
How do you pronounce “bongo”?
“Bongo” is pronounced BONG-goh (/ˈbɑŋ.ɡoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bongo” in a sentence?
Here is “bongo” used in a sentence: “He tapped out a rhythm on his bongos at the beach.”
What part of speech is “bongo”?
“Bongo” is a noun.
Where does the word “bongo” come from?
The word “bongo” comes from Spanish. Borrowed from Spanish bongo, referring to the Afro-Cuban hand drum.
How many meanings does “bongo” have?
“Bongo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: one of a pair of small hand drums, played by beating with the fingers and palms.
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