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

A tree branch, especially one of the larger branches growing directly from the trunk.

"The old oak's lowest bough was strong enough to hold a swing."

"Snow piled up on every bough of the pine trees."

How to use bough

Learner’s notes

In 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

bow →

Word forms

boughs plural, Boughs plural

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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.

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for bough

cough rough dough tough enough though plough slough trough clough through borough

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.