(among the Dutch settlers of New York) a farm or country seat.
the Bowery, a street and area in New York City, historically noted for its cheap hotels and saloons, and populated by people who were destitute and homeless.
First recorded in 1695–1705; bower 1 + -y 1
An Americanism dating back to 1640–50; from Dutch bouwerij “farm,” equivalent to bouw “cultivation” + -erij -ery
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It is flanked by low-rise apartment buildings and retail spaces typical of the Bowery neighborhood.
From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026
By the time they reached the Bowery, the snow was a foot deep on the sidewalk.
From Salon • Dec. 24, 2024
He would go on to launch such establishments as the Waverly Inn, the Bowery Hotel and the Jane Hotel.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 25, 2024
Neat play down the right and a lovely reverse pass from Jordan Bowery sees Davis Keillor-Dunn burst into the box, but his shot ricochets up off U's keeper Owen Goodman.
From BBC • Mar. 22, 2024
They had just reached the Bowery when Boaz suddenly asked, “You really mean to tell me that Ashmodai lives in the East Village?”
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
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.
