noun Common

Ross

ros

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Ross (noun) means the rough, scaly bark on the outside of a tree trunk. Example: “The old oak's ross was cracked and grey with age.”

noun

The rough, scaly bark on the outside of a tree trunk.

"The old oak's ross was cracked and grey with age."

A boggy or marshy patch of ground.

"The sheep avoided the ross at the bottom of the field."

How to use Ross

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA dialect/technical word for either the rough bark of a tree or a patch of marshy ground — outside of these, "Ross" is mostly known as a surname and first name.

Common mistake

Almost always encountered today as the personal name Ross rather than this old technical sense.

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: Rosses
Third person singular: rosses
Past tense: rossed

Test yourself on “Ross” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The old oak's _____ was cracked and grey with age.

Etymology

* As a Scottish surname, from several places such as Roose in Cumbria or Roos in Yorkshire, both from Scottish Gaelic ros (“promontory”) or a Brythonic parallel of its source such as Welsh rhos (“moor, heath”). There were also several Norman families in Scotland who took their name from Rots in Calvados. Compare Rose, Rhodes. * As an English surname, from Wrose in Shipley, with loss of initial w. * As an English and German surname, from derivatives of the old Germanic root common in names *hrōþi (“fame”). Compare Rossell. * As a Cornish surname, from several places in Cornwall deriving from ros (“heathland”), related to the above Celtic word meaning "heath" or "promontory." See Rouse. * As a Jewish and German occupational surname for a breeder of horses, from the regional/poetic noun Ross (“horse”). Doublet of horse. * Also as a Jewish surname, Americanized from Rose.

Synonyms

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bark bog marsh fen

Related words

bathroom toilet Marshall snap marsh bark swamp bog

Rhymes for Ross

oss boss loss toss foss joss moss doss Voss goss Hoss cross

See all rhymes for Ross →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Ross” mean?

The word “Ross” means the rough, scaly bark on the outside of a tree trunk. In plain terms, a dialect/technical word for either the rough bark of a tree or a patch of marshy ground — outside of these, "Ross" is mostly known as a surname and first name.

How do you pronounce “Ross”?

“Ross” is pronounced ros (/ɹɔs/ in IPA).

How do you use “Ross” in a sentence?

Here is “Ross” used in a sentence: “The old oak's ross was cracked and grey with age.”

What part of speech is “Ross”?

“Ross” is a noun.

Is “Ross” a common word?

“Ross” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Ross” have?

“Ross” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the rough, scaly bark on the outside of a tree trunk.

Is ross a real word or only a name?

Ross is best known as a surname and given name, but it is also a genuine common noun. As a noun, ross means the rough, scaly bark on the outside of a tree trunk, and in a separate sense it means a boggy or marshy patch of ground. Both noun senses are regional or specialised rather than everyday vocabulary.

What is the difference between ross and bark?

Bark is the general word for the entire outer covering of a tree's trunk and branches. Ross refers more narrowly to the rough, scaly outer bark on the trunk. In other words, ross is a specific, coarse portion of what is broadly called bark.

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