Boughs Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/boʊz/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A branch or limb of a tree, especially one that has been cut or broken off.

Examples

• The storm broke several boughs from the old oak tree.
• The hikers had to navigate through the dense forest, careful not to trip on fallen boughs.

Synonyms

• Branch
• Limb

Antonyms

• Trunk
• Stem

Etymology

The word “Boughs” is derived from the Old English word “bōh,” meaning “tree” or “branch.”

Usage Notes

Boughs is often used to refer to branches that have been cut or broken off a tree, but it can also be used to describe a tree’s natural limbs.

Cultural References

Boughs appears in various forms of media, including literature, art, and music. For example, the phrase “a bough breaks” is often used to describe the sudden snapping of a branch.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “A bough breaks” – describing the sudden snapping of a branch
• “Under the boughs” – describing a shaded area

Related Words or Phrases

• Branch
• Limb
• Tree

Collocations

• Boughs and leaves
• Boughs and branches

Frequency of Use

Boughs is a relatively uncommon word, but it is still widely used in literary and poetic contexts.

Common Misspellings

• Bough
• Bowy