noun
Boswell
BOZ-wehl
Boswell (noun) means a person who closely follows someone and faithfully records everything they say and do. Example: “The senator's aide became something of a boswell, jotting down every remark for the memoirs.”
noun
1
A person who closely follows someone and faithfully records everything they say and do.
"The senator's aide became something of a boswell, jotting down every remark for the memoirs."
How to use Boswell
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA devoted note-taker and chronicler of another (usually more famous) person.
When to use it
A literary allusion, mostly used in writing about biography or close companionship.
Common pairings
act as a boswell
a modern-day boswell
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Word forms
- Plural
- Boswells
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The senator's aide became something of a _____, jotting down every remark for the memoirs.
Etymology
From James Boswell, the 18th-century biographer whose detailed, admiring record of Samuel Johnson's life and conversation became the model for the genre.
Class of 1700
Boswell joined the language around 1700.
See the full Class of 1700 →
Rhymes for Boswell
See all rhymes for Boswell →Frequently asked questions
What does “Boswell” mean?
The word “Boswell” means a person who closely follows someone and faithfully records everything they say and do. In plain terms, a devoted note-taker and chronicler of another (usually more famous) person.
How do you pronounce “Boswell”?
“Boswell” is pronounced BOZ-wehl (/ˈbɑzˌwɛl/ in IPA).
How do you use “Boswell” in a sentence?
Here is “Boswell” used in a sentence: “The senator's aide became something of a boswell, jotting down every remark for the memoirs.”
What part of speech is “Boswell”?
“Boswell” is a noun.
Where does the word “Boswell” come from?
The word “Boswell” dates back to around 1700. From James Boswell, the 18th-century biographer whose detailed, admiring record of Samuel Johnson's life and conversation became the model for the genre.
