noun
Uncommon
bosom
BUUZM
Bosom (noun) means a person's chest, especially a woman's breasts. Example: “She clutched the photograph to her bosom.”
noun
1
A person's chest, especially a woman's breasts.
"She clutched the photograph to her bosom."
2
One's innermost feelings or private thoughts.
"He kept his doubts locked in his bosom, telling no one."
adj
1
Describing a very close, intimate relationship, especially in "bosom friend."
"They had been bosom friends since primary school."
verb
1
To hold something close and protectively, or to hide it from view.
"She bosomed the letter beneath her coat as she left the house."
How to use bosom
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA person's chest, or, more figuratively, the private inner part of someone's feelings.
Common pairings
bosom friend
in the bosom of
close to one's bosom
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Word forms
- Plural
- bosoms
- Third person singular
- bosoms
- Past tense
- bosomed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She clutched the photograph to her _____.
Etymology
From Old English bosm, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to swell or curve" — related to words for "breast" and "cheek" in several other old languages.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “bosom” mean?
The word “bosom” means a person's chest, especially a woman's breasts. In plain terms, a person's chest, or, more figuratively, the private inner part of someone's feelings.
How do you pronounce “bosom”?
“Bosom” is pronounced BUUZM (/ˈbʊz(ə)m/ in IPA).
How do you use “bosom” in a sentence?
Here is “bosom” used in a sentence: “She clutched the photograph to her bosom.”
What part of speech is “bosom”?
Depending on how it is used, “bosom” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “bosom” come from?
The word “bosom” comes from Old English. From Old English bosm, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to swell or curve" — related to words for "breast" and "cheek" in several other old languages.
Is “bosom” a common word?
“Bosom” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “bosom” have?
“Bosom” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person's chest, especially a woman's breasts.
