noun
bosh
bosh
Bosh (noun) means Nonsense; empty or foolish talk. Example: “That excuse is complete bosh — nobody believes it.”
noun
1
Nonsense; empty or foolish talk.
"That excuse is complete bosh — nobody believes it."
"He waved off the rumor as pure bosh."
intj
1
Used to express disbelief or dismissal.
""Bosh! I've never heard anything so absurd," she snapped."
How to use bosh
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slightly old-fashioned British word for nonsense or rubbish talk.
When to use it
Sounds dated and informal — mostly heard in British English, often from older speakers.
Common pairings
pure bosh
a load of bosh
talk bosh
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Word forms
- Plural
- boshes
- Third person singular
- boshes
- Past tense
- boshed
Fill the gap
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That excuse is complete _____ — nobody believes it.
Etymology
Borrowed into English from Ottoman Turkish boş, meaning "empty" or "unoccupied," after appearing in the popular 19th-century novels of James Morier.
Class of 1800
bosh joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for bosh
See all rhymes for bosh →Frequently asked questions
What does “bosh” mean?
The word “bosh” means nonsense; empty or foolish talk. In plain terms, a slightly old-fashioned British word for nonsense or rubbish talk.
How do you pronounce “bosh”?
“Bosh” is pronounced bosh (/bɑʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bosh” in a sentence?
Here is “bosh” used in a sentence: “That excuse is complete bosh — nobody believes it.”
What part of speech is “bosh”?
Depending on how it is used, “bosh” can be a noun and an intj.
Where does the word “bosh” come from?
The word “bosh” dates back to around 1800 and comes from Ottoman Turkish. Borrowed into English from Ottoman Turkish boş, meaning "empty" or "unoccupied," after appearing in the popular 19th-century novels of James Morier.
How many meanings does “bosh” have?
“Bosh” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: nonsense; empty or foolish talk.
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