An Encylopedia Britannica Company

bow

1 bow /ˈbaʊ/ verb
bows; bowed; bowing
1 bow
/ˈbaʊ/
verb
bows; bowed; bowing
Britannica Dictionary definition of BOW
[no object] : to bend forward at the neck or waist as a formal way of greeting someone or showing respect
often + to
[+ object] : to turn (your head) down so that you are looking toward the ground
[no object] : to stop trying to fight or resist something : to agree to do or accept something that you have been resisting or opposing usually + to

bow and scrape

: to treat someone who is powerful or wealthy in an extremely respectful way especially in order to get approval, friendship, etc.

bow down to

[phrasal verb]
bow down to (someone or something)
: to show weakness by agreeing to the demands or following the orders of (someone or something)

bow out

[phrasal verb]
: to stop doing something : to stop being involved in a contest, an activity, etc.
compare 5bow
2 bow /ˈbaʊ/ noun
plural bows
2 bow
/ˈbaʊ/
noun
plural bows
Britannica Dictionary definition of BOW
[count]
: the act of bending forward at the neck or waist in order to greet someone or show respect : the act of bowing

take a bow

: to bow towards an audience that is applauding for you
often used figuratively to say that someone deserves to be praised
compare 3bow, 4bow
3 bow /ˈbaʊ/ noun
plural bows
3 bow
/ˈbaʊ/
noun
plural bows
Britannica Dictionary definition of BOW
[count]
: the front part of a boat or ship
see picture at boat; opposite 2stern
compare 2bow, 4bow
4 bow /ˈboʊ/ noun
plural bows
4 bow
/ˈboʊ/
noun
plural bows
Britannica Dictionary definition of BOW
[count]
: a knot that is made by tying a ribbon or string into two or more loops and that is used for tying shoelaces or for decoration see also bow tie
: a weapon used for shooting arrows that is made of a long, thin piece of wood which is bent with its ends connected by a tight, strong string
: a tool that is used for playing a violin or similar musical instrument and that is made of a thin stick of wood with its ends connected by stretched pieces of hair or fiber see picture at stringed instrument
compare 2bow, 3bow
5 bow /ˈboʊ/ verb
bows; bowed; bowing
5 bow
/ˈboʊ/
verb
bows; bowed; bowing
Britannica Dictionary definition of BOW
[+ object] : to use a bow to play (a violin or similar musical instrument) see also bowing
: to bend or curve
[no object]
[+ object]
see also bowlegged
compare 1bow