noun
bough
BOW
Bough (noun) means a tree branch, especially one of the larger branches growing directly from the trunk. Example: “The old oak's lowest bough was strong enough to hold a swing.”
noun
1
A tree branch, especially one of the larger branches growing directly from the trunk.
"Desperate to stop before hurling herself off the edge of the cliff, she grabbed for a nearby tree branch, but the spindly bough snapped off in her hands."
— Katie Ruggle, Through the Fire (2018)
"A pair of birds settle on the bough above them, murmuring together, ready to roost."
— John Maxwell Coetzee (2013)
"The old oak's lowest bough was strong enough to hold a swing."
"Snow piled up on every bough of the pine trees."
"When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall. (Rock-a-bye Baby)"
How to use bough
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tree's branch, especially a big one coming off the trunk.
Common mistake
Pronounced like "bow" (rhymes with "cow"), not like the bow used to shoot arrows.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- boughs
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old oak's lowest _____ was strong enough to hold a swing.
Etymology
From Old English bog/boh, meaning both "branch" and "shoulder" — the same ancient root that gave us the "bow" of a ship.
Rhymes for bough
See all rhymes for bough →Frequently asked questions
What does “bough” mean?
The word “bough” means a tree branch, especially one of the larger branches growing directly from the trunk. In plain terms, a tree's branch, especially a big one coming off the trunk.
How do you pronounce “bough”?
“Bough” is pronounced BOW (/ˈbaʊ̯/ in IPA).
How do you use “bough” in a sentence?
Here is “bough” used in a sentence: “The old oak's lowest bough was strong enough to hold a swing.”
What part of speech is “bough”?
“Bough” is a noun.
Where does the word “bough” come from?
The word “bough” comes from Old English. From Old English bog/boh, meaning both "branch" and "shoulder" — the same ancient root that gave us the "bow" of a ship.
