bobbed; bobbing
1
: to strike with a quick light blow : rap
2
: to move up and down in a short quick movement
bob the head
3
: to polish with a bob : buff
1
a
: to move up and down briefly or repeatedly
b
: to emerge, arise, or appear suddenly or unexpectedly
2
: to nod or curtsy briefly
3
: to try to seize a suspended or floating object with the teeth
1
a
: a short quick down-and-up motion
b
Scotland
: any of several folk dances
2
obsolete
: a blow or tap especially with the fist
3
a
: a modification of the order in change ringing
b
: a method of change ringing using a bob
4
: a small polishing wheel of solid felt or leather with rounded edges
bobbed; bobbing
bobbed; bobbing
1
: to cut shorter : crop
bob a horse's tail
2
: to cut (hair) in the style of a bob
Examples of bob in a Sentence
Verb (1)
a family of ducks bobbing on the water
he playfully bobbed his brother on the nose to get his attention
Noun (2)
the lassie carried only a little bob on her wedding day
Verb (3)
bobbed her waist-length hair herself on her 18th birthday
Recent Examples on the Web
Jillian Frankel, People.com, 21 July 2025
Now, the feathery emu bobs for cherry tomatoes in her half-foot deep blue kiddie pool and watches as passersby marvel at her ability to find any fruit thrown to her.
—Kairi Lowery, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2025
Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 24 July 2025
Take inspiration from actress Lily Collins and make a sleek bob your haircut of choice to style out this summer, or copy singer Dove Cameron and keep your hair off your neck with playful space buns.
—Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bob
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Verb
Footage of the incident shared on social media showed passengers jumping to escape the massive fire and bobbing in the water wearing life preservers.
—Jillian Frankel, People.com, 21 July 2025
Now, the feathery emu bobs for cherry tomatoes in her half-foot deep blue kiddie pool and watches as passersby marvel at her ability to find any fruit thrown to her.
—Kairi Lowery, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2025
Noun
The good news is that a bob will complement anyone.
—Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 24 July 2025
Take inspiration from actress Lily Collins and make a sleek bob your haircut of choice to style out this summer, or copy singer Dove Cameron and keep your hair off your neck with playful space buns.
—Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bob
Cite this Entry
“Bob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bob. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bob
1 of 4 verb
bobbed; bobbing
1
a
: to move or cause to move up and down in a short quick movement
bob the head
a cork bobbing in the water
b
: to appear suddenly or unexpectedly
may bob up anywhere
2
: to grasp or make a grab with the teeth
bob for apples
bob
2 of 4 noun
: a short jerky motion
a bob of the head
bob
3 of 4 nounEtymology
Verb
Middle English boben, bobben "to hit or beat"
Noun
from earlier bob "a knot or twist of yarn or hair," from Middle English bobbe "bunch, cluster"
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