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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 notes

In 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

Word forms

Boswells plural

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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.

· First attested 1700

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.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial