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Synonyms

bis

1 American  
[bis] / bɪs /

adverb

  1. twice.

  2. again (used as an enthusiastic call for the repetition of a musical performance).

bis 2 American  
[bis] / bɪs /

noun

  1. a sheer, often embroidered linen, used in the manufacture of altar cloths.

B.I.S. 3 American  

abbreviation

  1. Bank for International Settlements.

  2. British Information Services.

BIS 1 British  

abbreviation

  1. Bank for International Settlements: an institution, based in Basel, Switzerland, that accepts deposits, makes loans for national central banks, and assists in offsetting speculative movements of funds between the major currencies; set up in 1930

  2. Bosnia-Herzegovina (international car registration)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
bis 2 British  
/ bɪs /

adverb

  1. twice; for a second time (used in musical scores to indicate a part to be repeated)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

  1. encore! again!

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bis1

1810–20; < Italian < Latin; OL duis twice

Origin of bis2

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin byssus byssus

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.

“This lexicon gives a humorous and precise overview of the most important words and phrases of politically correct newspeak,” the back cover of Klaus Rainer Röhl’s Politisch Korrekt von A bis Z from 1995 promises.

From Slate • Jan. 5, 2025

The "41 bis" is designed to prevent jailed organised crime leaders from communicating with outside affiliates, mostly by restricting their contacts with other inmates and visitors.

From Reuters • Feb. 24, 2023

He fluffs his chip up, which comes back towards bis feet.

From The Guardian • Apr. 8, 2022

The outside of the house, at 5 bis Rue de Verneuil in Paris, is another story.

From New York Times • Jul. 25, 2016

I am bis queen, but I will always be bis cub as well, and be will always guard me.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

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.