noun
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a period of time spent doing something, such as drinking
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a period of illness
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a contest or fight, esp a boxing or wrestling match
Etymology
Origin of bout
1535–45; variant of obsolete bought bend, turn, derivative of bow bow 1; see bight
Explanation
A bout is a fight. If you want to be a boxer, start with some easy bouts before challenging the champ. A bout is a period of time in which something intense happens, like fighting, binging, or being sick, and comes from the word for bending, or going round in a circle. We usually use it these days for something you wouldn't want to go on for too long of a time. If the full moon makes you crazy, you might suffer a bout of madness.
Vocabulary lists containing bout
100 SAT Words Beginning with "B"
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Bud, Not Buddy
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The Diary of a Young Girl
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lest you believe it’s about falling in love, she adds later on: “If you think I’m talkin’ ’bout romance / You’re not listening.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 30, 2025
There was a polite cheer, then someone yelled, “How ’bout ‘April in Paris’ again?”
From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2024
"If you 'bout to drop, she gotta approve/This girl really 'bout to make you act like you not in a feud," he goaded: "Yeah, shoutout to Taylor Swift/Biggest gangster in the music game right now."
From BBC • Apr. 22, 2024
This was only the second time this season Purdue didn’t put up 10 3-point attempts, and how ’bout this final score: Edey 37, the rest of the Boilermakers 23.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 8, 2024
“Glad y’all survived. I knew Nic would, but I wasn’t sure ’bout you two.
From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
