Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

bob

/bɑb/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.63 in modern English

Syllables
bob
IPA
/bɑb/
7
Scrabble Score
3
Letters
1
Syllables
2
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To move gently and vertically, in either a single motion or repeatedly up and down, at or near the surface of a body of water, or similar medium.

Intransitive verb

verb

To move (something) as though it were bobbing in water.

Transitive verb

verb

To move (something) as though it were bobbing in water.

Transitive verb

verb

To curtsy.

verb

To strike with a quick, light blow; to tap.

verb

Synonym of blob (“catch eels using worms strung on thread”).

Intransitive verb

noun

A bobbing motion; a quick up and down movement.

noun

A curtsy.

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English bobben (“to move up and down or back and forth”), of uncertain origin. Compare Scots bob (“to mark, dance with a bobbing motion”), Icelandic boppa (“to wave up and down”), Swedish bobba (“to bob”), Faroese bøbbur (“something that rises or stands up; top”), Dutch dobberen (“to float, bob”).

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /bɑb/
  • British English: /bɒb/

Usage

Inflected Forms

bobs (present, singular) bobbing (participle, present) bobbed (participle, past) bobbed (past) bobs (plural) bobs (plural, rare)

Derived Forms

abob bobber bobbish bobble bobchin bobfly bingle bobcat bobkitten bobrun bobweight earbob

Phrases

apple bobbing bob-cherry bob-job bob under bob up emu bob plumb bob bits and bobs

Frequently Paired Words

wheel bobwheel bobbery-bob bob wire slack bob yellow bob Bobby Dobbin

Synonyms

surge blob bob cut Party B Jack Joe bobtail dock

Rhymes With

job rob mob punjab cobb knob prob robb sob saab blob cob

Questions

How do you pronounce bob?
The recorded pronunciation is /bɑb/.
What does bob mean?
To move gently and vertically, in either a single motion or repeatedly up and down, at or near the surface of a body of water, or similar medium.
Where does bob come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce bob

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “bob”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/bɑb/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “bob”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “bob” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.