bow

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "bow" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts related to bending forward as a gesture of respect or greeting. An example is: "He gave a deep bow before the audience." Alternative expressions include "bend," "curtsy," or "nod."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Oscar de La Renta sleeveless silk, full-skirted dress with black patent-leather bow belt – now that is pure poetry," the character once said.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As much as the member deserves some credit for this very long bow, he is defying your ruling, says Albanese.

The Guardian

The film's bow compares to superior $37.4m and $29.8m openings for District 9 and Elysium in 2009 and 2013, though the film-maker will hope to do better outside north America.

The Guardian - Film

While Christians bow our heads to pray for you, radical Islamists want to cut off your head".

The Guardian

And like Ms Pacman, it'll look better with a bow on it.

The Guardian

The BBC is absolutely committed to impartial and balanced coverage, whatever the subject, and would not bow to pressure from any quarter whatever the story.

The Guardian

Now, at the tender age of 72, he is preparing to add a new string to his bow.

The Guardian - Film

Now we are told that Uganda will not bow to the "gay agenda" – a phrase I had never heard until a few years ago when American evangelicals introduced it to the political rhetoric.

The Guardian - Opinion

The end of a quest that began in boyhood to play professional football came on 13 August in a bow worthy of the dream-debut cliche, as Lawrence scored in a 4-0 win at SK Strazske in the second round of the cup.

The Guardian - Sport

On the one hand, unionist and loyalist confidence in the British government has never been revived since 1985, while on the other, the constant shots across the bow from a highly confident Sinn Fein have shredded the nerves of those who turned up to protest about the flag being removed.

The Guardian - Opinion

And the idea that you bow to someone, to me, is anathema".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Distinguish clearly between the noun and verb forms when using "bow" in professional writing to avoid ambiguity. The term is a heteronym, meaning it has different pronunciations depending on its meaning (e.g., /baʊ/ for a gesture and /boʊ/ for an archery weapon).

Common error

Avoid confusing "bow" with the word "bough", which specifically refers to a large branch of a tree. While they share the same pronunciation (/baʊ/) in some contexts, they are not interchangeable in written English.

Linguistic Context

As highlighted by Ludwig, the term "bow" functions as a highly versatile homograph. It operates as a noun to describe items like a weapon, a decorative ribbon or the front of a ship. It also acts as a verb indicating the action of bending the body or yielding to pressure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Social Media

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academic

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "bow" is a fundamental English word characterized by its significant polysemy. Whether used as a noun to describe a weapon or a part of a vessel, or as a verb to indicate submission or respect, it appears consistently in high-quality writing. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage in news and formal registers. To use it effectively, writers must be mindful of its heteronymic nature—ensuring the intended meaning is clear from the surrounding context, especially regarding its distinct pronunciations and its various idiomatic applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bend

Refers to the physical act of curving or leaning forward without the formal connotation of a greeting

submit

Emphasizes the act of yielding to authority or pressure rather than the physical gesture

curtsy

Specifically denotes a traditional feminine gesture of respect involving a slight knee bend

nod

Indicates a much smaller gesture of the head often used for acknowledgement rather than deep respect

yield

A more formal way to describe giving way under influence or force

prow

Specifically refers to the pointed front part of a ship or boat in a nautical context

arc

Describes a geometric curve or the shape of a flexible rod under tension

defer

Focuses on the intellectual or professional choice to respect another's judgment

genuflect

Describes a specific religious or deeply ceremonial act of lowering the body by bending one knee

stoop

Implies a physical bending of the back or shoulders, often suggesting a lack of dignity or physical strain

FAQs

How to use "bow" in a sentence?

You can use it as a verb meaning to bend forward, such as "The actor took a deep "bow" after the performance", or as a noun for a weapon, like "He pulled back the string of his "archery bow"".

What can I say instead of "bow"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "bend", "curtsy", "yield" or "nod".

What's the difference between "bow" and "curtsy"?

A "bow" is a general term for bending forward at the waist as a sign of respect, while a "curtsy" is a specific traditional gesture for women involving bending the knees and holding the skirt.

Is "bow" formal or informal?

The word itself is neutral and widely used across all registers. However, the physical act of a "bow" is generally considered a formal gesture of respect or performance etiquette.