Bowed

/baʊd/

Meaning & Definition

verb

past tense of bow; to bend the upper part of the body forward as a gesture of respect or greeting.

He bowed deeply to the audience at the end of his performance.

to yield or give way under pressure; to submit.

The fierce winds caused the trees to bow but they did not break.

to bend downward or forward.

The flowers bowed under the weight of the heavy rain.

adjective

having a curved or bent shape.

The bowed branches of the willow tree swayed gently in the breeze.

The word 'bowed' comes from Middle English 'bowe', from Old English 'būgan', meaning to bend or curve.

bowed out

To withdraw or drop out, especially in a respectful manner.

take a bow

To acknowledge applause or appreciation, usually after a performance.

bowed head

A sign of humility, respect, or submission.

bow

To bend one's body forward as a gesture of respect or greeting.

bend

To curve or force something straight into a curve.

To be in a submissive or defeated state.

After the argument, he was really bowed.

To humbly concede.

She had to bowed to his judgment on the matter.