Definition of "bob" in English

verb

1. (intransitive) 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.

   • The cork bobbed gently in the calm water.
   • The ball, which we had thought lost, suddenly bobbed up out of the water.
   • The flowers were bobbing in the wind.

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

   • I bobbed my head underwater and saw the goldfish.
   • bob one’s head

3. To curtsy.

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

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

noun

1. A bobbing motion; a quick up and down movement.

   • a bob of the head

2. A curtsy.

3. A bobber (buoyant fishing device).

4. Any of various hesperiid butterflies.

noun

1. A bob haircut.

2. Any round object attached loosely to a flexible line, a rod, a body part etc., so that it may swing when hanging from it.

3. The dangling mass of a pendulum or plumb line.

4. The docked tail of a horse.

5. The short runner of a sled.

6. A bobsleigh.

7. A small wheel, made of leather, with rounded edges, used in polishing spoons, etc.

8. A working beam in a steam engine.

9. A particular style of ringing changes on bells.

10. A blow; a shake or jog; a rap, as with the fist.

11. (obsolete) A knot or short curl of hair; also, a bob wig.

12. (obsolete) The refrain of a song.

13. A short line ending a stanza of a poem.

14. (obsolete) A jeer; a sharp jest or taunt.

verb

1. (transitive) To cut (hair) into a bob haircut.

   • I got my hair bobbed. How do you like it?

2. (transitive) To shorten by cutting; to dock; to crop.

3. To bobsleigh.

noun

1. (Kenya, slang; UK and Australia, historical, dated) A shilling.

2. (Australia, dated slang) A 10-cent coin.

3. (slang) An unspecified amount of money.

   • Spot me a few bob, Robert.